U.S. offers $1m for antitrafficking drive

JAKARTA: The United States pledged an additional US$1 million in aid on Friday to help Indonesia's fight against human trafficking.

A letter of agreement concerning the assistance fund was signed by Charge d'Affairs of the United States Embassy W. Lewis Amselem and National Police chief Gen. Sutanto here on Friday.

Under the agreement, the U.S. offers the aid to the Indonesian police and other justice sector agencies involved in law enforcement efforts.

Since 2002, the United States has provided significant funding to assist Indonesian government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the fight against human trafficking.

The embassy said that over the past 12 months, new U.S. funding commitments for Indonesia' antitrafficking efforts exceeded $10 million, including the grant announced on Friday.

"This promise of assistance is offered because the U.S. government believes that all states must work together to close down trafficking routes, prosecute and convict traffickers, and protect and reintegrate victims into society," Amselem told the signing ceremony as quoted in a press statement from the embassy. --JP