U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Indonesia

Indonesia (Tier 3)

Indonesia is a source country for trafficked persons, primarily young women and girls. Foreign destinations of trafficked persons include Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, Persian Gulf countries, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. Trafficking also occurs within Indonesia's borders. Victims are trafficked primarily for purposes of labor and sexual exploitation.

The Government of Indonesia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts. Indonesia does not have a law against all forms of trafficking in persons. Related laws are used against traffickers, but the maximum penalties are significantly less than those for rape. Judges rarely impose maximum sentences in trafficking cases. Special units within regional police headquarters handle cases of violence against women and children, including trafficking. Indonesia has increased its attention to trafficking and alien smuggling problems during the period covered by this report. Government action to combat the increasing problem, however, is hampered by insufficient funds and porous borders. Corruption among local government officials is widespread. In an effort to improve regional responses to trafficking and transnational crimes, the government co-chaired (with Australia) a regional conference in February 2002 that brought together for the first time ministers from 52 source, transit and destination countries. Minimal protection exists for foreign victims of trafficking, in that they are not jailed or automatically deported and may seek asylum or refugee status. Government shelters and services for foreign and Indonesian trafficking victims are still lacking. The government does not sponsor prevention efforts, such as anti-trafficking education programs directly, but cooperates with NGOs and international organizations that provide basic services to at-risk women and children. Although the government faces severe resource constraints, it has allocated an increase in the national budget to combat trafficking.