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.
Participants in the discussion, “Trafficking 2012: Thailand on the
Brink,” will include Eaklak Loomchomkhae, head of trafficking studies, Mirror
Foundation; Phil Robertson, Asia deputy director, Human Rights Watch; and
Arthon Piboonthanapatana, secretary-general, Thai Frozen Foods Association.
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.
Mizzima News
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