Hong hopeful on human trafficking

Jennifer Hong
Jennifer Hong

Concern about trafficking in persons was highlighted in Majuro last week by the visit of Jennifer Hong, the reports and political affairs officer at the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, based in Washington, DC.
Hong, who oversees production of annual trafficking in persons reports for 19 Asia and Pacific nations, was making her first visit to the Marshall Islands. She met with many key players on the issue while in Majuro, including members of the RMI’s anti-trafficking task force.
Currently, the Marshall Islands is the only Pacific island country on Tier 3 — the worst ranking by the US State Department.
“There has been more effort (on this issue) in the Marshall Islands this past year,” she said. “I hope the momentum continues.”
Hong noted that the RMI task force has drafted a national plan to combat trafficking that is waiting for approval by the RMI Cabinet. The proposed national plan, once approved by government, will establish goals for future efforts, she said.

Read more about this in the Marshall Islands Journal’s November 27, 2015 edition.