Trafficking in persons is a serious, borderless crime that violates human dignity and undermines the rule of law, requiring a strong and coordinated ASEAN judicial response. The matter was among those highlighted at the Workshop Opening Ceremony of ASEAN Multilateral Judicial Knowledge Exchange on Victim-Sensitive Adjudication of Trafficking in Persons Cases.

The workshop also highlighted, the importance of regional cooperation, shared learning, and harmonised, victim-centred adjudication that ensures procedural fairness while minimising trauma to victims. They also reaffirmed ASEAN's collective commitment to practical knowledge exchange and sustained judicial collaboration to strengthen effective responses to trafficking in persons. The exchange is a project of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices Working Group on Judicial Education and Training co-chaired by the Judiciaries of Indonesia and the Philippines. Such an initiative reflects ASEAN judiciaries' shared commitment to strengthening judicial responses to trafficking in persons through a victim-centred and rights-based approach. The workshop was held 3rd February morning at a hotel in the capital.