Carrying banners and various campaign materials, the demonstrators called for justice and protection for migrant workers. This event served as a platform to express deep frustration over the slow handling of a case that has dragged on for more than a year without resolution.
An Unresolved Case
Crisna, a Policy Researcher from the Sumatra Environmental Initiative (SEI), revealed that the case was first reported to Aceh Police on November 5, 2023, under the police report number LP/B/250/XI/2023. “Instead of making progress, the case was redirected to Bekasi City Police and Central Java Police without clear resolution. To date, no suspects have been named,” she stated.
Crisna also criticized the police for issuing SP3 (Investigation Termination Letters) for two reports filed by the victims without conducting proper case reviews. “This process not only denies justice to the victims but also fuels public disappointment,” Crisna added.
International Migrants Day Momentum
The protest coincided with International Migrants Day, symbolizing the vulnerability of migrant workers recruited illegally. Many TPPO victims face exploitation, limited access to justice, and entanglement in opaque recruitment practices.
“The lack of information on how to work safely in the fishing sector exposes Acehnese people to scams and exploitation. We urge law enforcement to break the chain of human trafficking, particularly in the foreign fishing vessel sector,” Crisna continued.
Demands and Hopes
Through this protest, the public urged Aceh Police to:
1. Fully investigate the TPPO case without external interference.
2. Firmly prosecute perpetrators involved in human trafficking networks.
3. Provide maximum protection for the victims.
“Eliminating illegal recruiters and ensuring access to safe employment information must be prioritized. This is not only about justice for the victims but also about protecting society from similar threats in the future,” Crisna concluded.
With this sympathetic yet assertive protest, the public hopes the TPPO case will no longer be neglected, paving the way for comprehensive protection of migrant workers' rights.
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