JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – As many as 21 Indonesian nationals, victims of human trafficking, arrived in Indonesia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassies in Yangon and Bangkok, facilitated the rescue of these individuals from the conflict-ridden region of Myawaddy in Myanmar.

These victims, who had been promised jobs in Thailand between March and July 2024, found themselves held captive and forced into roles as online scam operators and participants in illegal gambling activities in Myanmar. They also endured various forms of physical abuse during their captivity.

Kemlu was first alerted to their plight in August 2024, prompting immediate coordination with the Indonesian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand. Diplomatic efforts included sending formal notes to Myanmar’s government, including its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Police, holding meetings with local authorities, and intensive communication with local networks in Myawaddy.

On October 15, 2024, the 21 victims were freed and brought to Thailand via land routes, where they underwent screening through Thailand’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM). By mid-November, they were officially recognized as trafficking victims, enabling their repatriation to Indonesia. The Indonesian government covered the costs of their return, and upon arrival, they were handed over to the Ministry of Social Affairs for rehabilitation and further assistance.

The victims came from various regions in Indonesia, including West Java, Riau Islands, North Sumatra, Bangka Belitung Islands, DKI Jakarta, Banten, and West Kalimantan.

Since 2020, Kemlu has resolved over 5,100 cases of online scams involving Indonesian citizens across nine countries. In Myanmar, 196 cases of Indonesian nationals trapped in online scam operations in Myawaddy have been resolved since 2023. However, new cases continue to emerge, with 129 ongoing investigations.