The Long Road of Struggle
The fight against human trafficking is a long and often silent journey. Few are willing to take part, as it comes with many risks. Yet, some persist—moved by a deep humanitarian calling—because what they defend is nothing less than human dignity itself.
Although human trafficking is widely condemned as a violation of moral, ethical, and human values, perpetrators continue to evolve, forming sophisticated syndicates that degrade human worth. In our time, human life is frequently treated as a commodity to be bought and sold. Through various deceptive methods, traffickers exploit and destroy lives for profit. Dreams of a better life often end in tragedy—bodies sold for organs, women subjected to sexual slavery, workers trapped in modern forms of servitude, and children abandoned to neglect.
Policy Frameworks
At the international level, the fight against this crime has produced key legal frameworks. In 2000, the Palermo Protocol was adopted in Italy, defining the elements of human trafficking, its methods, and objectives, and outlining mechanisms for enforcement. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly designated July 30 as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Indonesia has also enacted national legislation—Law No. 21 of 2007 on the Eradication of Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Yet, enforcement remains weak. Despite these legal tools, the number of victims continues to rise every year, every month, and even every day. This failure is a profound wound to our collective conscience.
NTT in a State of Emergency
The Province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) faces a human trafficking emergency. Every year, NTT records the highest number of deaths among TIP victims and undocumented migrant workers. Data from BP3PMI NTT shows that in 2022, 106 migrant workers died, and from January to July 2023, 82 coffins arrived home from abroad.
Despite being known for its strong interreligious harmony, NTT’s moral and religious values are not fully reflected in social behavior or public policy. Many residents live in poverty, with limited education and poor awareness of safe migration practices. The lack of effective intervention from both the central and local governments underscores systemic neglect.
TRUK-F’s Assistance and Advocacy
Since 2000, Volunteers for Humanity of Flores (TRUK-F) has been at the forefront of prevention, intervention, and advocacy efforts to combat this crime. Their work spans community education, legal assistance, and policy lobbying at local, national, and international levels.
In 2021, TRUK-F assisted 17 underage victims from West Java who were exploited in four pubs in Sikka—Sasari, Bintang, T999, and Lybra. These teenagers came from poor families and lacked access to education. TRUK-F received them at the St. Monika Shelter, listened to their stories, and, together with a legal team, conducted case analysis and pursued advocacy at multiple levels.
However, navigating the legal process revealed systemic flaws. Of the four perpetrators, only three were prosecuted—and not under the Anti-Trafficking Law, but under labor regulations that imposed minimal sanctions and effectively favored the offenders. Although coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection ensured the children’s rehabilitation, justice was only partially served. The victims’ dignity was violated; their suffering was profound.
A more recent case, in April 2024, involved a member of the Sikka Legislative Council. Despite being found guilty, the perpetrator was not immediately detained due to alleged illness and remained in public office until August 2024. TRUK-F’s persistent advocacy led to the perpetrator’s eventual detention on August 17, 2025. Seven victims were identified—one, tragically, died after being deprived of food and forced to live in deplorable conditions without basic necessities or healthcare. The victim, JMK, left behind a wife and three children.
Beyond Law: A Matter of Justice and Humanity
These cases reflect not only violations of national law but also of the principles underpinning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly those on eradicating poverty, achieving gender equality, ensuring decent work, and promoting justice.
- SDG 1 (No Poverty): Many families in NTT live in conditions of economic deprivation and limited education, creating fertile ground for trafficking.
- SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The deeply patriarchal culture weakens women’s roles and makes them more vulnerable to exploitation and violence.
- SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Unequal development across regions limits access to fair employment in poorer provinces.
- SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Law enforcement is still not truly victim-centered, resulting in systemic injustice.
Human trafficking remains one of the most extreme manifestations of structural injustice. It shatters families, distorts communities, and undermines every effort toward sustainable development. The struggle continues—driven by faith, compassion, and the unwavering belief that every human being deserves freedom, dignity, and the fullness of life.
This post is also available in:
Spanish
