Nations tackle human trafficking crisis

July 30, 2004

Bangkok - Senior officials from China and five Southeast Asian nations gathered in the Thai capital Wednesday to thrash out a new framework for fighting human trafficking in the region.

Representatives from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam were due to hammer out an inaugural agreement to address the problem that sees some 800,000 men, women and children trafficked annually across borders in a billion-dollar illicit trade.

It was the first time the countries came together to combat what Thailand's minister of social development and human security, Sora-at Klinpratoom, described as a "modern-day form of slavery".

"We must admit that the problem is a major one, and that it has huge impacts on the rights and livelihoods of our peoples," he said in an opening speech.

"The long land-borders that our countries share, and the geography of those border areas, makes it almost impossible to control these movements.

"Accordingly we have to work together, as good neighbours, to solve these problems."

The meeting is working on a memorandum of understanding that is expected to be signed by ministers of the six nations in Myanmar's capital Yangon in October.

The countries of the region have been strongly criticised for failing to recognise the scale of the problem.

In June the United States downgraded Thailand on its human trafficking watchlist for failure to make progress in stamping out the global scourge.

Thailand joins other Southeast Asian nations placed on the so-called "Tier Two watchlist" including Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam, while neighbouring Myanmar remains at Tier Three, the lowest level.

Copyright 1999-2004, AsianSexGazette.com.  All rights reserved.  No content may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission.  Please contact us via the link below for re-print and syndication policies.

Journalists accused of human trafficking 7-27-2004

Rights group: Human trafficking on the rise in Asia
5-14-2004

Groups host forum to discuss children and women sex trafficking
4-26-2004