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AIPJ and NTT government commits to work together

The signing of this commitment was done by NTT Head of Bappeda Wayan Darmawa and AIPJ Team Leader Craig Ewers

On 22 January 2015, the Government of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and AIPJ took a next step in their relationship by signing a Statement of Commitment which emphasizes the Government's key role and AIPJ's role as an innovation partner, particularly on the commitment to free NTT from trafficking. In the statement, AIPJ and NTT's Bappeda alsoagreed to deal with other problems, including providing legal identity for the children, providing protection for children in the justice system, providing legal assistance to the poorand persons with disabilities, and freeing NTT from corruption.

The signing of this commitment was done by NTT Head of Bappeda Wayan Darmawa and AIPJ Team Leader Craig Ewers. Their speeches explained that AIPJ is not a donor but a bilateral partnership, directed by both government partners, and guided in NTT by provincial government priorities. The five commitments were identified by the local government of NTT but were obviously within the context of AIPJ’s program areas and target populations.

Ibu Lily on behalf of Ibu Diani Sadiawati from Bappenas outlined how freedom from trafficking needed to be tackled in a broader development context, to reduce pressures on women and girls to leave NTT in search of work. Bappeda and AIPJ both gave presentations more specifically on human trafficking and the links to legal identity and corruption. In particular, they stressed the need for admitting the problem openly, working together and planning and providing resources horizontally. Wayan Darmawa said that justice for NTT can be realised more quickly if all stakeholders build an integrated approach in development.

It is estimated that 50,000 NTT citizens go overseas illegally compared to 10,000 legally and there have only been 2 trafficking cases that have been finalised in the NTT courts. We don’t know how many people have been trafficked. We do know that 80% of trafficking victims worldwide are women and girls. We also know from research in villages that a large number of girls have left for working overseas and disappeared.

Although not a binding legal document, but the document was a declaration of commitment expressing sincere intention to tackle human trafficking and other issues in NTT.
 

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