U.S. offers $1m for antitrafficking drive

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