New UNODC Report Sheds Light on the Phenomenon of Human Trafficking into Thailand

[webfact]

New UNODC Report Sheds Light on the Phenomenon of Human Trafficking into Thailand

By By United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

 

File photo

 

Bangkok (Thailand), 10 August 2017 – To tackle human trafficking from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar into Thailand, governments must first better understand it as part of the broader phenomenon of irregular migration from those three countries, according to a new report launched today by UNODC and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ).

The report, “Trafficking in persons from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to Thailand”, is the first joint report of its kind to explore human trafficking in the subregion, and emphasises the need to combine robust criminal justice responses that cripple trafficking networks with approaches that protect migrants and maximise the benefits of international migration.

 

It is estimated that four million migrants live in Thailand, 90% of whom come from the neighbouring countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion – Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. Many of these migrants enter the country irregularly and remain in an irregular situation. They are therefore not only vulnerable to deception, coercion, violence, and exploitation whilst travelling, but also once they have arrived at their destination. The vulnerabilities and risks are amplified for children. 

 

While trafficking to Thailand occurs for a range of purposes, the most common form is labour trafficking. People seeking higher wages are recruited by traffickers that exploit their vulnerabilities using physical violence or threats to work in industries such as fishing or construction. Many victims of trafficking, women and children in particular, are also brought to Thailand for the purpose of sexual exploitation. 

 

While the lack of data and information remains one of the biggest challenges when it comes to countering trafficking in persons within Asia, this report aims to address some of the gaps in the understanding of human trafficking  and related migrant smuggling  in Thailand. Some new areas of focus include profiles of victims and traffickers, the contemporary push and pull factors, the routes taken by regular and irregular migrants, the fees paid to smugglers and traffickers, and the behaviours and methods of traffickers and their networks. It also explores the circumstances that make Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar source countries for the majority of persons trafficked into and through Thailand.

 

Stressing the need for a more complete picture of the current trafficking situation in the target countries. UNODC’s Regional Representative, Jeremy Douglas stated, “We now understand the situation better, and have identified some challenges and opportunities for enforcement and justice authorities in the countries. Importantly, the study provides a platform for us to expand our cooperation and assistance.” He added, “We are also considering if the findings might be helpful across the Mekong beyond the four countries that participated.”

 

“Promoting the development of data and research on crime and justice issues is a central part of the TIJ mission. Building on Thailand’s engagement in UN crime and justice forums, the TIJ is working to bridge global debates and local practice, and is looking to enhancing justice reforms within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region”, said Professor Dr. Kittipong Kittiyarak, Executive Director of the TIJ. 

 

The subversive nature of trafficking further underscores the difficulties in detecting cases and identifying victims. While limited information is a global challenge, it is particularly acute in Asia. Maritime movements are opaque and the flow of boats around and between national waters are too unregulated to generate data. Crimes including migrant smuggling often remain hidden amongst daily traffic.  

 

To help combat migrant smuggling, UNODC runs a secure, online database – the Voluntary Reporting System on Migrant Smuggling and Related Conduct (VRSMSRC) for the collection and sharing of law enforcement data between member countries. UNODC Regional Coordinator, Benjamin Smith, highlighted that, “As migration flows grow and crimes such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling become more complex, increased law enforcement cooperation and information sharing is essential.” 

 

There is growing awareness among target countries on the necessity of better data collection and better documentation. This includes initial measures to accurately report on investigations, arrests, prosecutions, and convictions of cases involving trafficking. In undertaking systematic national collection methods regularly and consistently, a basis can be established on which to conduct further research, identify trends and patterns, and develop informed policies and countermeasures.

 

Download the report https://www.unodc.org/documents/southeastasiaandpacific/Publications/2017/Trafficking_in_persons_to_Thailand_report.pdf 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-10

[webfact]

Depth of child trafficking to Thailand exposed in report

By Chularat Saengpassa 
The Nation

 

 

Migrants smuggled from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar ‘in shadow of criminal networks’ that target young people and women

 

CHILDREN ARE being trafficked to Thailand from neighbouring countries for underage labour, sexual exploitation and forced begging, a new report revealed yesterday. 

 

The “Trafficking in people from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to Thailand” is the first joint report of its kind to explore human trafficking in the region as available information suggests many migrants from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have ended up as victims in the Kingdom. 

 

The report says: “The irregular status of migrants from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar in Thailand, the migrants’ fear of deportation, the lack of knowledge of their rights and of the laws applicable to them, language barriers and limited access to authorities and to people outside their workplace make irregular migrants from these countries particularly vulnerable to deception, coercion, violence, exploitation and trafficking.” 

 

The report confirmed the most sinister of circumstances, according to Thailand Institute of Justice’s (TIJ) executive director Prof Kittipong Kittiyarak.

 

 “We can learn from this report that trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants is mainly in the shadow of the criminal networks that target the most vulnerable, often our young people and women,” he said yesterday. 

 

Conducted jointly by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the TIJ, the report seeks to amass evidence of human trafficking and enhance the capacity of relevant countries to generate, access and use the information to combat the problem. 

 

Victims often endure unspeakable hardship. Physical violence, sexual abuse, harassment, threats and coercion are common experiences for many. 

 

Despite the harsh realities, a huge number of people from Cambodia, Lao and Myanmar continue to move to Thailand in the hope of better life opportunities and income. 

 

 

Poor economic backgrounds, a lack of employment opportunities, natural disasters and poor harvests in their homelands have driven many Laotians to migrate here. 

 

Migrants from Myanmar have struggled with difficult economic circumstances, ethnic tensions or statelessness, while some have come in the hope of earning higher incomes. 

 

Cambodian migrants are usually motivated by poor economic circumstances and a lack of employment opportunities. 

 

Most labour migration to Thailand occurs outside formal channels because many migrants still associate avenues for legal migration and work with high costs and significant levels of bureaucracy. Alternative channels, often via shady “immigration agents”, are seen as inexpensive, fast and readily available. 

 

Deanna Davy, Senior Research Consultant (Trafficking in Person/Migrant Smuggling), UNODC, Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said that the Prey Veng-Battambang-Poi Pet-Aranyaprathet route was one of the most common used for migrating Cambodians. 

 

“Smuggling fees are about $100, with smugglers reaping about $10 to 30 in profits,” Davy said, adding that smugglers also paid bribes along the way. 

 

From Laos, one of the widely used smuggling routes is Vientiane to Nong Khai, while from Myanmar, migrants usually arrive via several border provinces, including Kanchanaburi and Mae Hong Son. One common route is Kawthaung to Ranong. 

 

Davy said corrupt officials had facilitated irregular migration and trafficking.

 

UNODC’s Regional Representative, Jeremy Douglas, stressed the need for a more complete picture of the current trafficking situation in the target countries. 

 

“We now understand the situation better and have identified some challenges and opportunities for enforcement and justice authorities in the countries,” he said. “Importantly, the study provides a platform for us to expand our cooperation and assistance.

 

 “We are also looking to see if the findings might be helpful across the Mekong, beyond the four countries that participated.”

 

Kittipong believes the problem is best addressed through prevention. 

 

“This involves improving school attendance, ensuring that both boys and girls are given fair, equal and free access to education. Such measures need to be complemented by other initiatives in order to foster skills training and improve equal employment opportunities for men and women so that they have access to decent work and the pursuit of a legitimate career,” he said. 

 

He believes social inequality, poverty and a lack of access to education and limited legitimate economic opportunities remain the driving forces that push individuals to break the law and at the same time make them more vulnerable to victimisation. 

 

Kittipong is calling for a centre to be established that specifically takes care of victims so that they have the courage to speak up and get help. 

 

“At the same time, we must prepare a proper, convenient and legal migration process for migrants,” he said. “All countries involved must not look at migrant workers as problems. These migrants can be of benefit for Thailand and their homeland.” 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30323462

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-11

[British Bulldog]

Vientiane to Nong Khai is a popular route for trafficking ? .... generally speaking the authorities on both sides are fairly strict observing who and how many people are in Vehicles ... I guess they must be hidden, or the poor souls 'really' believe they are going to a better life ? I would have thought that small fishing boats across the Mekong at 2.00am in the morning would have been a more popular mode of transport ? Goodness knows, you see enough fisherman going across during the day !

[Get Real]

What you can´t understand, you can´t grasp.
What you can´t grasp, you can´t explain.
What you can´t explain, you can´t change.

As simple as that....

[Tony125]

On 8/11/2017 at 5:31 AM, webfact said:

Depth of child trafficking to Thailand exposed in report

By Chularat Saengpassa 
The Nation

 

 

Migrants smuggled from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar ‘in shadow of criminal networks’ that target young people and women

 

CHILDREN ARE being trafficked to Thailand from neighbouring countries for underage labour, sexual exploitation and forced begging, a new report revealed yesterday. 

 

The “Trafficking in people from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to Thailand” is the first joint report of its kind to explore human trafficking in the region as available information suggests many migrants from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have ended up as victims in the Kingdom. 

 

The report says: “The irregular status of migrants from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar in Thailand, the migrants’ fear of deportation, the lack of knowledge of their rights and of the laws applicable to them, language barriers and limited access to authorities and to people outside their workplace make irregular migrants from these countries particularly vulnerable to deception, coercion, violence, exploitation and trafficking.” 

 

The report confirmed the most sinister of circumstances, according to Thailand Institute of Justice’s (TIJ) executive director Prof Kittipong Kittiyarak.

 

 “We can learn from this report that trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants is mainly in the shadow of the criminal networks that target the most vulnerable, often our young people and women,” he said yesterday. 

 

Conducted jointly by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the TIJ, the report seeks to amass evidence of human trafficking and enhance the capacity of relevant countries to generate, access and use the information to combat the problem. 

 

Victims often endure unspeakable hardship. Physical violence, sexual abuse, harassment, threats and coercion are common experiences for many. 

 

Despite the harsh realities, a huge number of people from Cambodia, Lao and Myanmar continue to move to Thailand in the hope of better life opportunities and income. 

 

 

Poor economic backgrounds, a lack of employment opportunities, natural disasters and poor harvests in their homelands have driven many Laotians to migrate here. 

 

Migrants from Myanmar have struggled with difficult economic circumstances, ethnic tensions or statelessness, while some have come in the hope of earning higher incomes. 

 

Cambodian migrants are usually motivated by poor economic circumstances and a lack of employment opportunities. 

 

Most labour migration to Thailand occurs outside formal channels because many migrants still associate avenues for legal migration and work with high costs and significant levels of bureaucracy. Alternative channels, often via shady “immigration agents”, are seen as inexpensive, fast and readily available. 

 

Deanna Davy, Senior Research Consultant (Trafficking in Person/Migrant Smuggling), UNODC, Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said that the Prey Veng-Battambang-Poi Pet-Aranyaprathet route was one of the most common used for migrating Cambodians. 

 

“Smuggling fees are about $100, with smugglers reaping about $10 to 30 in profits,” Davy said, adding that smugglers also paid bribes along the way. 

 

From Laos, one of the widely used smuggling routes is Vientiane to Nong Khai, while from Myanmar, migrants usually arrive via several border provinces, including Kanchanaburi and Mae Hong Son. One common route is Kawthaung to Ranong. 

 

Davy said corrupt officials had facilitated irregular migration and trafficking.

 

UNODC’s Regional Representative, Jeremy Douglas, stressed the need for a more complete picture of the current trafficking situation in the target countries. 

 

“We now understand the situation better and have identified some challenges and opportunities for enforcement and justice authorities in the countries,” he said. “Importantly, the study provides a platform for us to expand our cooperation and assistance.

 

 “We are also looking to see if the findings might be helpful across the Mekong, beyond the four countries that participated.”

 

Kittipong believes the problem is best addressed through prevention. 

 

“This involves improving school attendance, ensuring that both boys and girls are given fair, equal and free access to education. Such measures need to be complemented by other initiatives in order to foster skills training and improve equal employment opportunities for men and women so that they have access to decent work and the pursuit of a legitimate career,” he said. 

 

He believes social inequality, poverty and a lack of access to education and limited legitimate economic opportunities remain the driving forces that push individuals to break the law and at the same time make them more vulnerable to victimisation. 

 

Kittipong is calling for a centre to be established that specifically takes care of victims so that they have the courage to speak up and get help. 

 

“At the same time, we must prepare a proper, convenient and legal migration process for migrants,” he said. “All countries involved must not look at migrant workers as problems. These migrants can be of benefit for Thailand and their homeland.” 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30323462

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-11

Not just in Thailand here is a report on US child trafficking

 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/84-children-rescued-in-nationwide-human-trafficking-sweep-fbi-says/ar-AAtHMOz?li=BBnb7Kz