Bali Process Concludes With Bali Declaration

By Azeman Ariffin BALI, March 24 (Bernama) -- The Bali Process conference concluded Wednesday with the Bali Declaration on people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related crimes. The declaration issued by the organiser among others stated that while recognising the sovereign and legitimate rights of states to safeguard their borders and determine their migration policies, the transnational nature of irregular migration requires a comprehensive regional approach, based on the principles of burden sharing and collective responsibility. It also recognised that timely, safe and dignified repatriation should be accorded to those found not entitled to international protection. “We encourage members to ensure that all returns are carried out with full respect of human rights and recognise the responsibility of states to accept the return of their nationals,” the declaration said. The conference also recognised the need to engage constructively with the private sector to expand legal and legitimate opportunities for labour migration and to combat human trafficking and related exploitation including by promoting and implementing humane, non-abusive labour practices throughout their supply chains. “We intend to scale up public information campaigns to raise awareness and the serious determination of law enforcement authorities to bring smugglers and traffickers to justice,” the declaration added. The meeting also agreed to encourage member states to explore potential temporary protection and local stay arrangements for asylum seekers and refugees subject to domestic laws and policies. The Bali Process was founded in 2002 and has effectively raised regional awareness of the consequences of people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crimes, and developed and implemented strategies and practical cooperation on response. More than 48 members, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as a number of observer countries and international agencies participated in this voluntary forum. Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi represented Malaysia at the conference and delivered a ministerial statement. This is the only regional platform in East Asia and the Pacific that deals with migration related issues and the Ministerial Conference that will follow will focus on the general discussion on current challenges, trends and responses of irregular movement of persons in the region in providing an opportunity to step up the collective efforts of the Bali Process. -- BERNAMA