Human trafficking can't be solved by Burma junta says expert

September 15, 2004

Burma's military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) plans to open anti-human trafficking liaison offices in three border key towns in a bid to crack down on the regional scourge, according to its propaganda news.

The junta said it would open the new offices in the border towns of Tachilek and Myawaddy near Thailand, and one near the Chinese border at Muse.

The US government estimates that up to 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders each year, mainly for sexual exploitation.

Award-winning Aung Myo Min, an exiled Burmese human rights activist insists that the junta could not solve the problem, as there are ample evidences implicating the involvements of the junta's officials in the trade through bribery and corruption.

"Human trafficking problem would not go away by just imposing laws and opening offices," he told DVB.

He also added that the trade thrives because of the mismanagement of the country's economy and human rights abuses committed by the junta in Burma.

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