Anti-trafficking efforts
Human trafficking has become an increasingly serious international issue. UN statistics from last year indicate that at least 100,000 people were tricked into going to Southeast Asia and forced to participate in phone scams or other crimes. Many are victims of human trafficking. Taiwan has cooperated with other countries, cracking down on trafficking and achieving results from prevention efforts. However, when it comes to transnational crime, Taiwan faces challenges.
The transnational nature of human trafficking makes it difficult for any country to handle on its own. International cooperation is indispensable. At this year’s International Workshop on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking, Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan (馬士元) said that exchanges with officials, academics and non-governmental organizations from other countries are crucial for Taiwan in countering human trafficking. Taiwan has hosted international human trafficking prevention workshops for 16 consecutive years, inviting experts and academics from all over the globe to share their experiences and jointly explore prevention strategies.
Attending this year’s workshop were officials, academics and experts from the US, Canada, Australia, and 14 other countries, along with almost 300 representatives from Taiwan. Attendees participated in extensive discussions to address several issues, including victims of human trafficking who are forced to commit crimes. These workshops help Taiwan learn from other countries and improve its own prevention capabilities.
To combat human trafficking, Taiwan is improving its laws and regulations. Under an amendment to the Human Trafficking Prevention Act (人口販運防制法) implemented on Jan. 1, using others to commit criminal acts is now within the scope of criminal punishment. The amendment also authorizes judges to take the circumstances of a crime into consideration and provide lighter punishments or exemptions for those who are perpetrators as a result of being trafficked.
Taiwan is also cooperating with other countries, establishing intelligence networks and mechanisms of law enforcement cooperation, working together to crack down on human trafficking crimes. Taiwan has worked with Southeast Asian countries to successfully investigate and uncover cases of human trafficking, containing its spread.
Although Taiwan has made significant progress, it still faces challenges. Multinational human trafficking organizations are tight-knit, their division of labor careful and meticulous, and their methods extremely covert and evolving constantly. This makes it difficult to investigate and gather evidence.
Taiwan must establish a more effective mechanism of international cooperation and continue to strengthen prevention, improve related laws and regulations, promote education to improve public vigilance, and build a sturdy line of defense against human trafficking.
Meng Chou-kung
Taipei
Caring for elderly people
The question about whether to send elderly family members to residential care homes is an important one. There are often stories in the media about caregivers and elderly people feeling conflicted about the idea of resorting to care homes.
I have long been resolved to the fact that I would eventually have to receive long-term care. I am at peace with aging, even though I share some of the disquiet that others feel, including elderly people and those responsible for caring for them.
I know by watching elderly members of my own family being taken care of that the caregiver has a difficult job. The older generation tends to feel upset when their children send them to a care home, as this is thought to be unfilial.
The younger generation do not take such decisions lightly, and only do so because they do not have the means to take care of their parents on their own. Their decision is often frowned upon by relatives and friends, and they feel guilty as a result.
I have financially and mentally prepared myself for losing the ability to take care of myself. I bought insurance that would pay for such an eventuality. I traveled the world, but I have never gone beyond my means. I told my sons to find me a nice care home if I lose the ability to take care of myself or develop dementia.
I believe communication and reaching an understanding on this issue would minimize the discomfort shared by parents and children.
Hung Chin-fong
Taipei
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