Singapore ratifies ASEAN Convention against human trafficking

The Republic on Tuesday (Jan 26) said it has ratified the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP).

ACTIP is a legally-binding instrument that seeks to prevent and suppress human trafficking, protect victims and promote cooperation among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It was signed by leaders at the 27th ASEAN Summit last November.

Singapore is among the first ASEAN member states to ratify ACTIP, said the Singapore Inter-Agency Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons, and the move affirms the country's commitment to cooperate with regional partners in jointly combating human trafficking.

The instrument of ratification was deposited on Monday with ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh by Singapore's Permanent Representative to ASEAN, Mr Tan Hung Seng, the taskforce said in a press release.

"This is another important step taken by Singapore to combat trafficking in persons through a '4P' strategy of Prevention, Prosecution, Protection and Partnership," it added.