GMS countries to coordinate against human trafficking

October 14, 2004

Yangon - The member countries of the six-nation Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) will meet here in the last week of this month to coordinate a ministerial initiative against transnational human trafficking.

Preparations are being made by the host Myanmar for the three-day subregional conference on Oct. 27 to 29 involving China's Yunnan Province, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported Thursday.

A memorandum of understanding on anti-human trafficking is expected to be signed at the gathering to strengthen the subregional cooperation in the sector.

The ministerial meeting will be preceded by a two-day senior officials meeting.

Myanmar said it is not only making efforts domestically relyingon its own resources but also wishes to cooperate with the subregion in curbing human trafficking.

Myanmar has been cracking down on human trafficking as a national task and formed a working committee for prevention against trafficking in persons in July 2003.

Meanwhile, Myanmar is drafting a law on suppression of trafficking in persons and endeavors are being made to produce a complete draft which is in accordance with the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.

According to official statistics, the authorities have netted atotal of 795 human traffickers, including those trafficking women and children, in 412 cases since 2002. They also rescued 2,181 victims, including 1,047 women during the period. Besides, since 2001, the government has educated over 700,000 people living in border areas and prevented about 16,000 from going abroad illegally.

Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding between Myanmar and Thailand on cooperation in workers employment has been in force since June 2003 and the document is regarded as an effective instrument in dealing with trafficking problems.

As part of its increased international cooperation in the aspects, Myanmar signed into the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime in April this year, followed by the enactment of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Law the same month which serves as a legal basis for the country's international cooperation in crime suppression, including terrorism, transnational organized crimes and crimes related to money laundering.

Copyright 1999-2004, Asian Sex Gazette.  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.

Philippines assures curb to human trafficking, arrests 6 foreign suspects
9-22-2004

Human trafficking can't be solved by Burma junta says expert 
9-15-2004

Myanmar strengthens fight against cross-border human trafficking 
9-13-2004

Vietnamese children: "We want to be protected from human trafficking"
8-27-2004