Govt urged to fight human trafficking

BATAM, Riau: An official from the United States, John R. Miller, has urged the Indonesian government to help fight human trafficking.

Miller said there were about 800,000 cases of human trafficking worldwide per year -- 12,000 of which entered the U.S.

He said the U.S. government considered the practice a form of modern slavery, which is why it has made human trafficking a priority crime that must be eradicated.

Under U.S. law, human traffickers can be sentenced from 30 years to life in prison.

Miller said the U.S. government would provide assistance to any country as part of the global effort to combat human trafficking, which closely affects human rights, health and national security.

Miller said his visit to Indonesia was aimed at getting first- hand information on reports of prostitution and human trafficking in Indonesia. - JP