Ministry Oversees Repatriation of 13 Human Trafficking Victims from Sikka, NTT, to West Java

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection is overseeing the repatriation of 13 female victims of alleged human trafficking from Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

“The Ministry is present together with the Regional Technical Implementation Unit for Women and Child Protection (UPTD PPA) of West Java Province and the Directorate of Women and Child Protection and Anti-Trafficking (Dit PPA PPO) of the West Java Police to assist and provide specific assistance in the form of basic necessities for the female victims of human trafficking at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Banten,” said the Deputy Assistant for the Provision of Services for Female Victims of Violence at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Ratna Oeni Cholifah, in a statement in Jakarta, Thursday (February 26).

The human trafficking victims come from several regions in West Java.

According to her, this case serves as a reminder that human trafficking remains a serious threat, especially for vulnerable groups influenced by social and economic factors.

Ratna Oeni Cholifah said that human trafficking is a serious crime that violates human rights and deprives victims of their right to safety, dignity, and a decent future.

The Ministry hopes that law enforcement officials will act firmly, professionally, and transparently so that similar cases do not recur.

“The Ministry encourages comprehensive handling of this case, starting from the physical and psychological recovery of the victims, legal assistance, to the fulfillment of the victims’ rights in a sustainable manner with a victim-centered approach,” she said.

Furthermore, the victims will be placed in a safe house owned by the UPTD PPA of West Java Province, and an assessment will be carried out to identify the necessary service needs, including health services, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and social recovery and reintegration programs.

“We will also continue to strengthen cross-sectoral coordination and encourage local governments to increase efforts to prevent, strengthen service capacity, and protect vulnerable groups from human trafficking,” said Ratna Oeni Cholifah.