Question raised in Mandalay Region Parliament regarding women victims of human trafficking being detained for nearly six months to testify

It has been reported that a question was raised in the Mandalay Region Parliament regarding the detention of women, victims of human trafficking, for nearly six months to provide testimony. On the third day of the third regular session of the Mandalay Region Hluttaw (June 5), U Nyi Nyi (also known as U Kyaw San), Hluttaw representative No. (2) for Aungmyetharsan Township, asked, "Are there plans to send back to their parents' hometowns the women who are victims of human trafficking and have been detained for a long time at the temporary reception and care center in the Phone Hto Toe ward of Aungmyetharsan Township? " In response to the question, Major General Ne Lin Soe, the Minister for Security and Border Affairs, stated, "In human trafficking cases, when the perpetrators are apprehended, we proceed with prosecution within one month of detention and are working to ensure that the women who are victims of human trafficking can testify as quickly as possible. Once their testimony is completed in court, we are arranging for the women who are victims of human trafficking to be returned to their parents and relatives through the temporary reception and care center. However, in cases where the perpetrators have not been apprehended, after prosecution, if witnesses know that the perpetrators are fugitives, they can be examined in court, and then the victims can be examined and sent back to their places of residence. Even if the victims cannot come to court when the fugitive perpetrators are recaptured, their previous testimonies can be submitted to the court. After testifying, the women who are victims of human trafficking are returned to their parents and relatives through the arrangements of the temporary reception and care center. In the case questioned today, it was found that it took about six months for all three women, victims of human trafficking, to be brought to court for prosecution. Therefore, we will pay close attention and supervise to ensure that there are no delays in the investigation of future cases." U Kyaw San, who asked the question, said, "Three women who are victims of human trafficking have been at the center since the end of 2025, for about six months. As they have been staying for a long time, they want to return to their parents' hometowns. However, because the perpetrator has not yet been apprehended, there are still matters to be dealt with regarding the case, which is why it has taken so long. Therefore, I asked about the long detention of women who are victims of human trafficking when the perpetrator has not yet been apprehended. I have seen that the relevant ministry and police officials have taken immediate action regarding this matter. Regarding the two individuals who were detained, although the perpetrator had not been apprehended on May 29, they were prosecuted and testified in the relevant court, and on June 1, they were sent back to their parents' hometowns through the center. I have been informed that the remaining one person will be sent back to their parents' hometown after testifying in court on June 9."