Liao made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2009 International Workshop on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking, which was held by the Ministry of the Interior with the aim of studying issues such as victim identification, protection and shelter, as well as exploring ways to work with NGOs and increasing international cooperation.

Liao noted that over the years, Taiwan has made many efforts in the field of stamping out human trafficking, including the launch of a human trafficking action program in 2006, the establishment of a coordination unit and the enactment of a human trafficking law.

Through the workshop, Taiwan wishes to exchange views and experience with other countries on human trafficking and to establish an international cooperation network, as well as a protection mechanism, with the help of NGOs, Liao said.

Taiwan passed a human trafficking bill Jan. 12 this year that focuses on preventing the crime and imposing stiff penalties on offenders.

Promulgated June 1, the law is aimed at helping the country more effectively combat human trafficking by closing existing legal loopholes.

Robert Wang, acting director of the American Institute in Taiwan, said at the opening ceremony that the workshop is significant as it showcases the attention and care that the Taiwanese government and its people give to the issue of human trafficking.

Noting that according to United Nations statistics, at least 12 million people around the world are victims of human trafficking, Wang said the crime represents the modern version of slavery and is a public insult to human dignity, human rights and democratic values.

"Human trafficking is a universal problem that civil societies like Taiwan and the United States should not neglect, as it weakens legal economic activities, triggers violence, destroys families and hampers our sense of community and sense of justice, " Wang said, adding that it will also damage education and public security and eventually affect social and economic development.

Wang said the U.S. wants to boost cooperation with Taiwan on the existing foundations to help rescue victims, bring human traffickers to justice and hope to the next generation.