(Bandar Seri Begawan, 30th) — The US Department of State has released its 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, in which Brunei has been elevated to the 'Tier 2 Watch List.' The reason cited is that, while the government has not yet fully met the minimum anti-trafficking standards, it has demonstrated significant progress.
The report notes that during the reporting period, the Brunei government achieved a number of outcomes, including increasing investigative efforts and prosecuting an alleged labor trafficker; providing services to 27 potential and confirmed victims; cooperating with foreign governments to facilitate the repatriation of 13 potential trafficking victims transiting through Brunei; joining with foreign law enforcement agencies in training officers and enhancing investigative capacity; and completing and implementing an updated National Action Plan.
However, the report also points out that Brunei has failed to achieve any convictions under its anti-trafficking law for eight consecutive years. Compared to the previous period, the number of identified victims has declined. The government only formally recognizes victim status when cases reach the prosecution stage, and there is a lack of systematic screening among foreign workers, individuals in the sex trade sector, and during labor inspections.
The report emphasizes that, due to insufficient screening and identification, some potential victims have been penalized for illegal acts (such as immigration violations or sex work), even though these acts were direct consequences of being trafficked.
The statement offers several recommendations for Brunei, including: strengthening investigations and prosecutions under the 2019 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Order, imposing commensurate sentences on traffickers and complicit officials, formally identifying and protecting victims without relying on prosecutions, and ensuring that victims are not punished for unlawful acts committed as a result of being trafficked.
It calls for expanding training for frontline law enforcement officers, investigators, prosecutors, and judges to improve victim identification and legal enforcement capacity. It also emphasizes improving labor protections for foreign workers, explicitly prohibiting recruitment agencies from charging fees to workers, and eliminating the practice of workers paying their own agency fees.
The statement notes that Brunei has around 100,000 foreign workers widely distributed in the domestic work, construction, service, and agricultural sectors, all of which have long been at risk for human trafficking. The report points out that workers often face passport confiscation, wage withholding, and high recruitment fees, making them highly vulnerable to exploitation.
In addition, the report mentions that certain projects involving foreign governments and foreign fishing vessels operating in Brunei's exclusive economic zone may present forced labor risks.
Although Brunei has made improvements in prevention and protection efforts, the statement stresses that in order to effectively curb human trafficking, the government must fully implement and continuously enforce the key recommendations listed above.
The report notes that during the reporting period, the Brunei government achieved a number of outcomes, including increasing investigative efforts and prosecuting an alleged labor trafficker; providing services to 27 potential and confirmed victims; cooperating with foreign governments to facilitate the repatriation of 13 potential trafficking victims transiting through Brunei; joining with foreign law enforcement agencies in training officers and enhancing investigative capacity; and completing and implementing an updated National Action Plan.
However, the report also points out that Brunei has failed to achieve any convictions under its anti-trafficking law for eight consecutive years. Compared to the previous period, the number of identified victims has declined. The government only formally recognizes victim status when cases reach the prosecution stage, and there is a lack of systematic screening among foreign workers, individuals in the sex trade sector, and during labor inspections.
The report emphasizes that, due to insufficient screening and identification, some potential victims have been penalized for illegal acts (such as immigration violations or sex work), even though these acts were direct consequences of being trafficked.
The statement offers several recommendations for Brunei, including: strengthening investigations and prosecutions under the 2019 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Order, imposing commensurate sentences on traffickers and complicit officials, formally identifying and protecting victims without relying on prosecutions, and ensuring that victims are not punished for unlawful acts committed as a result of being trafficked.
It calls for expanding training for frontline law enforcement officers, investigators, prosecutors, and judges to improve victim identification and legal enforcement capacity. It also emphasizes improving labor protections for foreign workers, explicitly prohibiting recruitment agencies from charging fees to workers, and eliminating the practice of workers paying their own agency fees.
The statement notes that Brunei has around 100,000 foreign workers widely distributed in the domestic work, construction, service, and agricultural sectors, all of which have long been at risk for human trafficking. The report points out that workers often face passport confiscation, wage withholding, and high recruitment fees, making them highly vulnerable to exploitation.
In addition, the report mentions that certain projects involving foreign governments and foreign fishing vessels operating in Brunei's exclusive economic zone may present forced labor risks.
Although Brunei has made improvements in prevention and protection efforts, the statement stresses that in order to effectively curb human trafficking, the government must fully implement and continuously enforce the key recommendations listed above.