ID :
29857
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 23:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/29857
The shortlink copeid
RI, A`LIA AGREE HUMAN TRAFFICKING A COMMON ENEMY
Canberra, Nov 12 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Australia agreed to prioritize fight against human trafficking and smuggling in the Asia Pacific region through bilateral cooperation and development of regional capacity under the umbrella of the Bali Process.
The agreement to that effect was laid down in a joint statement on smuggling and human trafficking issued at the end of the 9th Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum (AIMF) here on Wednesday.
The two crimes have to be dealt with thoroughly under the spirit of cooperation involving countries of origin, transit and destination.
The Indonesian and Australian ministers reiterated their commitment to seek practical ways and means to secure their respective border areas as part of a wider cooperation in fighting the transnational crimes.
It was also stated that syndicates of human trafficking remained a threat to the two countries and therefore it was agreed on the need for increasing cooperaton through operational assistance and information exchange as well as strengthening their respective legal basis in line with the exisiting international instruments.
The ministers welcomed reaffirmation of Indonesia-Australia joint leadership in the Bali Process pending a ministerial meeting on the Bali Process in the middle of next year.
Six Indonesian and six Australian ministers were involved in the AIMF meeting.
The six Austrlian ministers are trade minister Simon Crean, minister of immigration and citizenship Senator Chris Evans, minister of climate change and water Senator Penny Wong, minister of environment and historic heritage and arts Peter Garrett and minister of domestic affairs Bob Debus.
The Indonesian ministers meanwhile are foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda, trade minister Mari Pangestu, agriculture minister Anton Apriyantono, minister of fisheries and marine resources Freddy Numberi, environment minister Rachmat Witoelar and minister of justice and human rights Andi Mattalatta.
The case of human smuggling into Australia involving Indonesian citizens reccured ahead of the meeting.
In September and October Australian patrol boats seized two boats from Indonesia carrying dozens of asylum seekers.
The skipper of the first boat, Abdul Hamid (35) from Dompu, Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, was arrested with 12 asylum seekers from Iran and Afghanistan on September 29.
The second boat meanwhile was seized on October 6 carrying 14 asylum seekers from Afghanistan. The skipper, Amos Ndolo (58), came from Rote in East Nusa Tenggara.
The two may face a maximum of 20 years in jail. Their case is now still being handled by a court of law in Perth, West Australia.
The Bali Process is a meeting held jointly by Indonesia and Australia in Bali six years ago to find practical ways to fight the crime. Representatives from 50 countries attended the meeting.
Australia has been the destination of asylum seekers while Indonesia has been used as a transit.
Until November 2008 Australian patrol boats have seized two boats carrying asylum seekers.
Australian patrol boats seized five boats carrying 148 passengers in 2007, six boats with 60 passengers on board in 2006 and six boats with 11 passengers in 2005.
The West Java police recently foiled an attempt to smuggle 20 foreign nationals into Australia.
The agreement to that effect was laid down in a joint statement on smuggling and human trafficking issued at the end of the 9th Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum (AIMF) here on Wednesday.
The two crimes have to be dealt with thoroughly under the spirit of cooperation involving countries of origin, transit and destination.
The Indonesian and Australian ministers reiterated their commitment to seek practical ways and means to secure their respective border areas as part of a wider cooperation in fighting the transnational crimes.
It was also stated that syndicates of human trafficking remained a threat to the two countries and therefore it was agreed on the need for increasing cooperaton through operational assistance and information exchange as well as strengthening their respective legal basis in line with the exisiting international instruments.
The ministers welcomed reaffirmation of Indonesia-Australia joint leadership in the Bali Process pending a ministerial meeting on the Bali Process in the middle of next year.
Six Indonesian and six Australian ministers were involved in the AIMF meeting.
The six Austrlian ministers are trade minister Simon Crean, minister of immigration and citizenship Senator Chris Evans, minister of climate change and water Senator Penny Wong, minister of environment and historic heritage and arts Peter Garrett and minister of domestic affairs Bob Debus.
The Indonesian ministers meanwhile are foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda, trade minister Mari Pangestu, agriculture minister Anton Apriyantono, minister of fisheries and marine resources Freddy Numberi, environment minister Rachmat Witoelar and minister of justice and human rights Andi Mattalatta.
The case of human smuggling into Australia involving Indonesian citizens reccured ahead of the meeting.
In September and October Australian patrol boats seized two boats from Indonesia carrying dozens of asylum seekers.
The skipper of the first boat, Abdul Hamid (35) from Dompu, Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, was arrested with 12 asylum seekers from Iran and Afghanistan on September 29.
The second boat meanwhile was seized on October 6 carrying 14 asylum seekers from Afghanistan. The skipper, Amos Ndolo (58), came from Rote in East Nusa Tenggara.
The two may face a maximum of 20 years in jail. Their case is now still being handled by a court of law in Perth, West Australia.
The Bali Process is a meeting held jointly by Indonesia and Australia in Bali six years ago to find practical ways to fight the crime. Representatives from 50 countries attended the meeting.
Australia has been the destination of asylum seekers while Indonesia has been used as a transit.
Until November 2008 Australian patrol boats have seized two boats carrying asylum seekers.
Australian patrol boats seized five boats carrying 148 passengers in 2007, six boats with 60 passengers on board in 2006 and six boats with 11 passengers in 2005.
The West Java police recently foiled an attempt to smuggle 20 foreign nationals into Australia.
