The Indonesian Embassy Picked Up 26 Indonesian Citizens Victims Of Trafficking In Persons In Myanmar

The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Yangon facilitated the pick-up of 26 Indonesian citizens (WNI) suspected of being victims of a criminal act of trafficking in persons (TPPO) in the city of Myawaddy, Myanmar.

Reported by ANTARA, Thursday, July 27, the Indonesian citizens consisted of five women and 21 men, who came from various regions in Indonesia, including Medan, Mataram, Batam, Jakarta, Singkawang, Palembang, and Lhokseumawe.

The pick-up process was carried out by the Indonesian Embassy team Yangon in collaboration with the Myanmar Immigration Office. The Indonesian citizens were picked up by bus from the Myawaddy police station and then handed over to the Indonesian Embassy at the Hlegu Township immigration office, Myanmar.

The Indonesian Embassy in Yangon said that the Indonesian citizens work in online fraud companies or online scams that operate a lot in the Myawaddy area, including at KK Park and Shwe Koke Ko, Myanmar.

The majority of them entered Myanmar via smuggling from Mae Sot, Thailand, between mid-2022 and January--February 2023.

There is also one of those who enter Myanmar legally with a business visa, but has crossed the stay permit deadline since December 2022.

The Indonesian Embassy in Yangon has requested a deportation permit from the Myanmar authorities for the Indonesian citizens. The deportation permit was successfully issued without any prosecution or fines for immigration violations. After further investigation, the Myanmar authorities stated that nine of the 26 Indonesian citizens were victims of human trafficking. Meanwhile, 17 other people will still undergo further investigations at the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon.

To ensure their return to Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon has coordinated with the Directorate of Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While waiting for the return process, the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon will accommodate the 26 Indonesian citizens.