[Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

EAST TIMOR (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of Timor-Leste does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Timor-Leste remained on Tier 2. These efforts included adopting and funding training on SOPs to identify trafficking victims and refer them to care; identifying labor and sex trafficking victims, referring some to NGO shelters, and providing psycho-social support to others; initiating investigations into suspected labor and sex traffickers; and funding the anti-trafficking commission (KLATU). However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. The government did not prosecute or convict any traffickers – many officials still lacked understanding of trafficking, which inhibited victim identification, including among foreigners engaged in commercial sex – and KLATU lacked sufficient funding to complete its draft 2023-2028 NAP. The government did not provide trafficking-specific services, and prosecutors required trafficking victims to stay in shelters until they had sufficient evidence for criminal proceedings. Moreover, the government only provided services to trafficking victims who agreed to participate in criminal investigations against their traffickers.

Prioritized Recommendations

Increase investigations, prosecutions, and convictions for trafficking in accordance with anti-trafficking laws, including of complicit officials.

Using new SOPs and victim-centered interviews, proactively identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, including individuals in commercial sex, domestic workers, and migrant workers on fishing vessels.

Train or fund training for officials on SOPs, including employing them during commercial sex raids, among foreigners in detention, and prior to initiating deportation.

Delineate among law enforcement responsibilities for trafficking investigations.

Increase resources for trafficking victim protection services, including for victims who do not participate in criminal investigations, and proactively offer male and female victims the same services.

Provide judges and prosecutors with copies of the anti-trafficking law in their primary language.

Permit victims the freedom to choose whether to stay in government- or NGO-provided shelters and permit foreign victims to choose when to be repatriated.

Proactively inform trafficking victims of available legal services, including assistance in seeking compensation.

Fully fund KLATU to finalize and begin implementation of the draft 2023-2028 NAP.

Improve nationwide law enforcement and victim identification data collection.

Screen for trafficking indicators among Cuban overseas workers, including medical professionals.

Eliminate worker-paid recruitment fees.