The FINANCIAL -- Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O’Connor
has discussed continuing efforts to combat people trafficking and
smuggling, as well as ways to improve the age determination process for
people smuggling crew, with Indonesian ministers and officials during a
two-day visit to Jakarta.
Mr O’Connor met with the Vice Minister for Law and Human Rights, Professor Denny Indrayana; the Indonesian National Police Chief, Commissioner General Timur Pradopo; the deputy chairs of the Corruption Eradication Commission, Mr Mochammad Jasin and Mr Bibit Samad Rianto; the head of the Indonesian National Counter-Terrorism Agency, Police Inspector General Ansyaad Mbai; and Indonesian-based representatives of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner and the International Organization for Migration.
The talks built on the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, co-chaired by Australia and Indonesia, which brings together members from source, transit and destination countries as well as key organisations such as the UNHCR and the IMO.Mr O’Connor also thanked the Indonesian National Police for their work in this area and the high level of support they provide to the Australian Federal Police.
The AFP is working with the INP to develop an agreed process for the improved collection of evidence to expedite the return of minors to Indonesia.
Where age is not able to be clearly established, the person being investigated or prosecuted will continue to be given the benefit of the doubt and will be returned to Indonesia without charge.
This enhanced cooperation complements measures announced by the Gillard Government in July to determine the age of people charged with people smuggling offences.
Australia has also made significant contributions to the Indonesian Maritime Security Board, Bakorkamla. In May 2011, the Government assisted Indonesia in hosting a multilateral maritime security desktop exercise and law of the sea course in Jakarta through Bakorkamla.
The Government has also contributed $2 million for a maritime radio communication network to help combat maritime threats and transnational crime in our adjoining waters.
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