On August 31st, Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes and the Director of CMMA, Jeanette Baars, held a press conference in connection with the campaign “No Cay Den Trampa.”

During the conference, Jeanette Baars was asked about adjustments to the Penal Code regarding human trafficking. She mentioned that in 2020, the CMMA, through a task force, submitted a proposal to amend the Penal Code for human trafficking and migrant smuggling. This proposal was approved in June 2023.

This means that the convictions for both human trafficking and migrant smuggling have risen significantly. The changes also encompass other forms of trafficking that were previously prosecuted, such as begging (including begging under duress), and ‘criminele uitbuiting,’ which refers to the criminal exploitation of individuals. Since the adoption of this proposition, those involved in human trafficking are now subject to legal penalties