Asean meeting to discuss human trafficking

 

Wrapped up yesterday, the meeting discussed taking more legal measures against human trafficking cases in the region. 

“It includes all Asean members, but it is not yet widespread,” said Police Colonel Khin Maung Hla, from the anti-human trafficking police. 

Meetings have been held in Thailand and Singapore, with discussions aimed at giving protection to victims, enhancing the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and taking effective action against human traffickers. The meeting in Kuala Lumpur will mainly focus on the security of victims, protection as well as prevention. 

According to the squad, Myanmar has a memorandum of understanding with neighbouring China and Thailand for joint cooperation. This makes it easier for law enforcement agencies to cooperate over cases of human trafficking. There was no such agreement with Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. 

“Immigrants from our country are being racketeered in China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. In order to save the victims in the countries with no MoU, we can only process between embassies. After the anti-human trafficking project is implemented in the Asean region, I think we can give full protection to immigrants and victims of trafficking,” said Deputy Col Khin Maung Hla from the squad.

In 2013, the squad rescued 30 people trafficked to Thailand. 

The Asean-backed anti-human trafficking draft project will be amended in Myanmar. The project aims to rescue victims of trafficking and to fully protect the workers’ rights across the region.

There were 102 trafficking cases last year. Many of the victims were women who had been sold as brides to Chinese husbands.