IOM and the Macao SAR China have signed an agreement to ensure that
victims of trafficking can safely return home and be reintegrated
into their home communities.

In a project funded by the government of Macao, IOM will verify
whether a victim of trafficking wants to return to their home
country in addition to assessing security concerns both in Macao
and in the victim's home community. Where applicable, IOM will
organize a safe return home with IOM staff providing reception
assistance upon arrival.

The Organization will also develop a reintegration plan with
specific measures outlined to promote a victim's successful
rehabilitation.

Macao, which is home to a thriving casino and gaming industry,
is one of Asia's leading tourist destinations and according to the
US State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in
Persons  (G/Tip), has been  a  destination for 
trafficked  women  from mainland China, Mongolia, Russia,
the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and Central Asia for
commercial sex work.

The Office's 2010 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report classifies
Macao as "Tier 2", indicating that the government is making
significant efforts to stamp out human trafficking, but has not yet
achieved "Tier 1" status and eliminated the problem.

In 2007, Macao established a "Human Trafficking Deterrent
Measures Concern Committee" and in 2008 adopted legislation to
combat human trafficking.  This criminalized traffickers and
provided a legal basis for law enforcement officers to deal with
the issue.

In 2009, China signed the UN Convention against Transnational
Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, signaling
its commitment to step up efforts to stamp out human
trafficking  and improve victim protection nationwide.

For more information please contact:

Gloria Ko

IOM Hong Kong

E-mail: "mailto:gko@iom.int">gko@iom.int 

Tel. +852.23322441