Indonesia and Cambodia Strengthen Immigration Cooperation to Combat Human Trafficking

The Indonesian government has taken a significant step in preventing human trafficking and addressing immigration challenges by signing a letter of intent with Cambodia's Immigration Authority. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in exchanging information, providing technical assistance, and developing human resource capacity to protect citizens from illegal migration. The partnership was prompted by the rising number of Indonesian citizens working non-procedurally in Cambodia and being caught in gambling and online fraud.

Key Takeaways:

• The Indonesian and Cambodian governments agreed to exchange information, provide technical assistance, and develop human resource capacity to combat human trafficking and address immigration challenges.
• The partnership aims to prevent the departure of non-procedural migrant workers, with immigration authorities delaying the issuance of passports or rejecting the departure of suspected illegal migrants.
• During the January-April 2025 period, immigration officers at Indonesian checkpoints postponed the departure of 5,000 prospective non-procedural migrant workers, and immigration offices postponed the issuance of 303 passports.
• The Indonesian government has included a human smuggling clause in Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration, allowing for strict sanctions against smugglers and their facilitators.
• The cooperation involves the assignment of Indonesian immigration attaches in Cambodia to strengthen coordination and cooperation, as well as the appointment of focal points in each country to intensify the exchange of immigration information and share best practices.
• The Indonesian government is actively involved in combating human smuggling through a comprehensive strategy involving bilateral, regional, and international forums.

Statistics:

• 5,000 prospective non-procedural migrant workers had their departure postponed by Indonesian immigration officers at checkpoints during the January-April 2025 period.
• 303 passports were postponed in issuance by Indonesian immigration offices during the same period.
• The Indonesian government has included a human smuggling clause in Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration.

Sources:

• ANTARA (Signing of LoI between Immigration Directorate General and Cambodia Immigration Authority).
• Documentation on Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration.