A reported case of alleged human trafficking was discovered by Tonga's Technical Working Group (TWG) for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) last Monday, 7 October.
The suspected trafficker was arrested and held in Police custody.
The TWG is headed by Tonga's Director of Immigration.
"It was crucial for the TWG to demonstrate that this was a trafficking case, and with the assistance of Tonga Police and relevant agencies of the TWG, this was successfully carried out within a week," TWG stated in a press release on Friday, 11 October.
A person was charged with the offense of trafficking in persons and was remanded to be held in police custody.
TWG stated that, together with USAID Pacific RISE-CTIP, they assisted the victim with meals, temporary accommodation, communication, transportation, and counselling services, as well as their return to home country.
TWG encouraged the public to reach out and contact the toll-free TIP hotline 922 to report any suspicious activities in their communities, or to the nearest Police Station if they suspect human trafficking.
TWG
The National Technical Working Group for combating trafficking in persons was established in 2021. It is a multi-agency cooperation which includes Tonga government ministries and others: Foreign Affairs, Police, AGO, Justice, Health, Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Internal Affairs, Prime Minister's Office, Education and Training, Fisheries, Finance and Customs and Revenue, and CSOs represented by CSFT, USAID Pacific RISE-CTIP and IOM.
The Chair of the group is Director of Immigration Telesia Kaitapu, and Tonga Police holds the Deputy Chair.
