Following the revision of its anti-trafficking law Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act (2015), Warnath Group Experts Anne Gallagher and Jenny Stanger were invited to Malaysia February 5 – 9, 2018 to meet with relevant government officials and local civil society organizations to help diagnose and address the challenges to successful implementation of the provisions granting freedom of movement and the right to work to TIP victims.
A series of stakeholder meetings with government and NGO officials and visits to both government and NGO run shelters for TIP victims, culminated in a workshop for high-level Malaysian officials responsible for administering and implementing the regulations and standard operating procedures allowing for freedom of movement and right to work. This well-rounded workshop was interactive and featured several presentations and moderated discussions of the issues raised throughout the week’s meetings. The Warnath Group also invited Angkana Homhual, a Thai official from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, to attend and share successes and challenges of the recent efforts in Thailand to expand both the right to work and freedom of movement for victims.
The Warnath Group began its work in Malaysia in 2014 with a skills training program for specialist prosecutors and judges on the victim-centered approach to support a directive from the Attorney General’s Chambers requiring prosecutors to meet with victims of human trafficking cases before trial. The following year, Warnath Group CEO Stephen Warnath and Anne Gallagher travelled to Malaysia to meet relevant officials and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council (MAPO) drafting group to discuss international trends and emerging good practice around the treatment of victims, with a particular focus on management of victim witnesses and others granted leave to remain in the country of destination. To read more about the Warnath Group’s work, please click here.
The Warnath Group’s analysis on best practices and implementation of the anti-TIP law, and other training and technical assistance that aim to support Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen and more effectively apply the law to combat human trafficking and support its victims, were made possible by the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP), and with the help of the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.