Children at risk of trafficking: Child protection agencies struggle to protect them fully

A 30-year-old man from Namdalen has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison in Taiwan for smuggling narcotics. The man was reportedly forced into this situation by Swedish criminal gangs who supplied drugs to central Norway. According to Norwegian police investigations, he had an outstanding drug debt of 3,000 euros to these gangs, which led him to be compelled into transporting narcotics from Thailand to Taiwan. He was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport on December 15, 2025, after being given a flight ticket from Gardermoen to Bangkok.

The man's case has drawn attention due to conflicting perspectives between Norwegian authorities and the court in Taiwan. While Norwegian police have classified him as a victim of human trafficking, the court in Taiwan did not address this aspect in its ruling. Instead, the court emphasized that his actions contributed significantly to transnational drug trafficking and posed a potential threat to public welfare in Taiwan. The man admitted to smuggling approximately 11 kilograms of marijuana in 22 packages from Thailand to Taiwan. His defense team, including Norwegian lawyer Farid Bouras and Taiwanese lawyer Li Lu-min, has appealed the verdict, arguing that the issue of human trafficking should have been central to the court’s consideration.

Conditions in prisons in Taiwan are described as harsh, with reports indicating overcrowding, limited space, and a lack of privacy. Additionally, there is a growing number of elderly inmates, leading younger prisoners often to serve as caregivers. These conditions raise concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals, especially those without adequate legal support or understanding of local procedures. Bouras expressed frustration that despite Norwegian authorities designating the man as a victim of human trafficking and appointing a legal representative to assist him, these factors were not considered in the court's decision-making process.

In another related case, a 17-year-old boy from a war-torn country faces charges of involvement in human trafficking and prostitution as part of an organized criminal group. He arrived in Norway alone, without family or knowledge of the language, and was placed in a protective institution following his arrest in late April. Despite efforts by the police to secure additional protections for him, the child protection services struggled to provide the necessary safeguards. They cited a lack of specialized facilities dedicated solely to children at risk of human trafficking, even though recent changes to legislation aimed to improve their protection.

The police requested specific protective measures for the teenager to prevent his re-recruitment by the criminal network. However, they received a response stating that there were no available placements where such protective measures could be guaranteed. This situation highlights the challenges faced by child protection services in Norway, particularly regarding the absence of dedicated institutions for minors vulnerable to exploitation. Although existing child protection facilities can accommodate these cases, the implementation of protective measures requires approval from the Child Welfare Board, which can restrict contact, communication, and movement for up to six weeks when deemed necessary.

These two cases illustrate broader issues within both Norwegian and international legal systems concerning the treatment of individuals caught in complex situations involving crime and vulnerability. The outcomes reflect the need for more comprehensive approaches to addressing human trafficking and ensuring proper legal representation and protection for victims, especially those from abroad. As these legal processes unfold, further developments will likely shed light on how effectively these systems can adapt to meet the needs of those affected by such crimes.