Implementing requirements from the Department of Social Protection (Ministry of Health) and proposals from the City Department of Health, various departments and sectors in Hai Phong have conducted a review and evaluation of the results of implementing Coordination Regulation No. 2548regarding the reception, protection, and support for victims of trafficking. This is an important assessment to look back at the implementation journey from July 2022 to the present, while simultaneously proposing solutions consistent with the actual situation and new provisions of the 2024 Law on Anti-Human Trafficking.
Achievements in Citizen Protection and International Cooperation
From July 2022 to the present, the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs has cooperated closely with the Consular Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, the City Police, and local authorities to receive and resolve 46 cases involving 129 Hai Phong citizens. These cases were mainly related to illegal entry, online scams, and forced labor in Cambodia and Myanmar.
In addition to handling arising cases, the Department of Foreign Affairs has actively contributed opinions to the development of legal documents, particularly the draft Law on Anti-Human Trafficking (amended) and inter-departmental coordination plans within the city to enhance the efficiency of victim verification and protection.
Challenges in Awareness and Communication
Communication work is carried out regularly through activities such as flag-salute ceremonies and plans responding to "World Day Against Trafficking in Persons". However, functional agencies have frankly pointed out that the awareness of a segment of the population—especially vulnerable groups such as disadvantaged women and children—remains low, leading to the risk of easily falling into the traps of human trafficking rings.
Furthermore, while the legal framework is increasingly becoming more complete, inter-disciplinary information exchange is sometimes not yet timely due to a lack of direct contact points for coordination between units.
Key Solutions for the Future
To improve the efficiency of work in the coming period, Hai Phong is focusing on the following central solutions:
- Updating the Coordination Plan: Providing early advice to the City People's Committee to amend Plan No. 75/KH-UBND to ensure compatibility with new regulations regarding the rescue and reception of victims from abroad.
- Strengthening Connectivity: Establishing direct contact channels and providing specific contact points to ensure the smooth sharing of information between departments, boards, and sectors.
- Developing Support Manuals: Creating guiding documents specifically for victims so they clearly understand their rights, as well as the procedures for legal and medical support.
- Specialized Training: Continuing to organize training sessions for the forces responsible for receiving and protecting victims, with a focus on target groups lacking legal knowledge.
This timely review and evaluation not only helps perfect the coordination process but also affirms Hai Phong City's commitment to protecting the legal rights and interests of its citizens, resolutely fighting to push back human trafficking crimes in the new situation.