inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra emphasized that the eradication of human trafficking must focus on victim protection in response to the increasingly complex nature of transnational human trafficking.

At the 9th Legal International Conference & Studies (LICS) and Call for Papers in Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday (7/30/2026), he stated that in addition to victim protection, the focus must also be directed at disrupting criminal networks and strengthening international cooperation.

"The challenges in handling human trafficking continue to evolve along with the more sophisticated modes of exploitation, from recruitment through misleading job offers, misuse of social media, to the involvement of victims in various forms of transnational cybercrime," Yusril said, as confirmed in Jakarta on Friday (7/31/2026).

He stated that this situation demands strengthened national coordination and international cooperation for more effective law enforcement.

In fact, when someone is vulnerable, the state's responsibility to protect and enforce the law becomes even greater.

Yusril explained that handling human trafficking cases must be based on the elements of the crime as stipulated in the Palermo Protocol so that law enforcement can be carried out appropriately while providing protection to victims.

He emphasized that human trafficking does not always involve cross-border movement, and not every administrative violation can be categorized as human trafficking.

In addition to women and children, migrant workers and other vulnerable groups are also at risk of becoming victims of forced labor and various forms of exploitation.

Along with the renewal of the national criminal justice system, Yusril added that policy harmonization is necessary to strengthen victim protection, provide restitution, trace assets derived from crime, and collaborate between institutions and countries.

"The success of eradicating human trafficking is not measured by the number of activities or regulations enacted, but by the state's ability to ensure that victims' rights are fulfilled, disrupt criminal networks, and provide real protection for victims," ​​he said.

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