KUALA LUMPUR: There is a critical need for stronger international cooperation and robust laws in the fight against human trafficking, says a non-governmental organisation.
This comes after Malaysian human-trafficking victim Mala Vello, 57, was recently released from prison in Nepal.
Mala met a Nepalese man and followed him to his home country in 2012, only to be allegedly confined and abused by her partner's family for a decade before being sentenced to a harrowing prison term for immigration offences.
Project Liber8 programme officers Onysha Boak and Melissa Chin, who worked to bring Mala home, said there should also be a more nuanced understanding of trafficking indicators among law enforcement agencies and foreign service personnel.
"Every survivor's story is a reminder that there is much more to be done to prevent exploitation and bring justice to victims of human trafficking.
"We are relieved that Mala will finally be reunited with her family," they said.
They added that the priority now was to ensure that Mala and her family received comprehensive care and support to facilitate her reintegration into society and heal from the trauma she endured.
"We kindly ask that the privacy of Mala and her family be respected during this time as they reunite and reconnect after all these long-lost years," they said.
They also expressed appreciation to those who helped to bring Mala home, including Malaysia embassy charge d'affairs Firdaus Azman, Senator Sivaraj Chandran and Bishwo Khadka of Maiti, Nepal.
Mala's return was a significant victory in the battle against human trafficking, but her story served as a sobering reminder of the work ahead in ensuring justice and safety for all victims.
Earlier today (Thursday), the New Straits Times reported that Mala, 57, would be flying home to Malaysia.
Mala, from Port Dickson, was allegedly trapped and forced into domestic servitude for 10 years after following her Nepali partner to his home country.
Her passport was withheld, and she was subjected to beatings, starvation and constant threats of gang rape if she attempted to seek help from the police.
When she finally escaped and reported her plight to the authorities, she was instead charged with overstaying under the Immigration Act and Rules of Nepal, and fined the equivalent of RM88,500.
Failing to pay the fine, she was sentenced to seven years' jail on March 7, 2022.
Under Nepali law, Mala was not recognised as a human trafficking victim, as Nepal's Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act applied only to Nepali citizens.
She will be reunited with her family when she arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) early tomorrow (Friday).
Her story caught the attention of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who said the ministry was monitoring the case through its mission in Kathmandu.
Firdaus previously said the embassy had issued two diplomatic notes in 2022, requesting the Nepali government's consideration to release Mala or reduce her fine.
Following that, the Nepali Foreign Ministry wrote a letter to its Home Ministry recommending the release of Mala and another Malaysian from jail.