Source: MIZZIMA
(Mizzima) – A panel discussion on Thailand’s status in human trafficking will take place at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Bangkok at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Admission is 300 baht for non-members.
Workers sort fish on a Thai fishing boat in Sattahip, Rayong Province. Thousands of men from Burma and Cambodia set sail on Thai fishing boats every day, but many are unwilling seafarers – trapped in brutal working conditions by force of threats. AFP PHOTO / Nicolas ASFOURI
Many observers say Thailand is on the brink of being ranked among the world's worst countries for human trafficking. In 2011, for a second year, the U.S. State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report ranked Thailand as a "tier-two watch list" country for not complying with the minimum standards required to address trafficking in persons.
Commentators suggest that if there is one more year of poor performance the country is destined for "tier three" ranking in the upcoming 2012 TIP report. This would put Thailand on a footing with 21 countries on the tier three list including Cuba, North Korea and Burma, and trigger potential non-humanitarian sanctions from Washington.
Last year, the U.N.’s Special Rapporteur for Trafficking in Persons Joy Ngozi Ezeilo blasted the lack of effective efforts to combat trafficking in persons in Thailand, citing increased evidence of trafficking for labour exploitation, particularly in the seafood industry.
Her preliminary report took aim at a "weak and fragmented" policy and legal framework on trafficking, deep routed corruption in law enforcement, the brokerage network and poor victim identification. Ezeilo said she provided recommendations to the government to effectively address trafficking but so far there has been no response .
An estimated 2 to 3 million migrants from neighbouring countries contribute to Thailand's economic development but are often denied basic rights. There is still no safe or effective means for many workers from Burma and Cambodia to enter the country, putting multi-billion dollar industries in Thailand at risk, say observers.
Will 2012 be a year of progress for Thailand's efforts to combat trafficking for labour exploitation? What can be done?
The panel will explore these questions and more.
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