It won’t be long before we will find out the assessment on Thailand’s effort’s this past year in tackling human trafficking when the United States releases its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. The assessment will definitely prompt further comment.
Comments will centre on whether the government has done enough to deserve being moved from the lowest rank of Tier 3 to Tier 2 Watch List — a position Thailand was placed in 2010 to 2013.
Debate will also centre on whether the US cut-off date of March 2015 is fair since many of the government’s efforts to tackle human trafficking will not be considered in the annual assessment.
Don’t be surprised if ardent supporters of the Prayut government say much more has been achieved by the current administration than past governments; that the cut-off date is not only unfair but that the assessment would have been different if the current government was democratically-elected.
The US will deny that the “form of government” has anything to do with its assessment. With the cut-off date, the US will say the reporting period of April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, is a “universal period” applied to all 188 countries and territories covered in the annual report.
But even some critics of the current and past government efforts at tackling human trafficking say that a fair assessment should take into consideration all significant developments. I have to agree.
It’s ironic that the changes and amendments to laws; the process of investigation, prosecution and judicial process; the separation of illegal immigrants compared to trafficked victims; and the implementation of databases are being done by a military government that has declared the fight against human trafficking as a national agenda.
Admittedly, reports of abuse and trafficked labour in the Thai fishing industry and processing chain prompted government response and action. Thailand’s placement into Tier 3 pushed the government into action — to announce a clear “zero tolerance” policy which led to a declaration of a national agenda.
Prior to 2012, for example, trafficked Rohingya did not figure in the Thai dictionary because they were considered illegal migrants and there was no effort to try to find out if some were forced into labour.
A clear policy prompted law enforcement into action and led to the discovery of five trucks carrying 97 Rohingya in January in Hua Sai district in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Six people were arrested and subsequent investigations led to the discovery of mass graves and detention camps along the Thai-Malaysian border and the arrests of suspects allegedly involved in trafficking networks.
But the key issue is not really whether the cut-off date is fair or not. The TIP report should not even matter. The only issue that matters is whether we as a people and our government are serious about treating fellow human beings — Thai or foreign — with the dignity and respect they fully deserve.
It should not take another government to tell us we are not treating our people, and others, properly. The responsibility of combating human trafficking rests with our citizens demanding action be taken against the traffickers.
Successive governments have failed dismally in their duty to ensure that proper processes, social and legal, are in place to protect those who cannot defend themselves and are easily abused. They must take responsibility for failing to enforce the law, and more importantly, prosecute and bring to justice military, police, government officials, local and national politicians and citizens who are involved, benefit or even turn a blind eye to human trafficking.
This government has said it is serious and it remains to be seen whether the cases stick against those accused of trafficking. What’s important is what lies ahead. If Thailand stays on Tier 3 or moves to the Tier 2 Watch List does not matter. What matters is that action — prevention, suppression and persecution — against human trafficking continues.
The next government, whenever it is elected and comes into office, must continue the fight. Police, prosecutors and the courts must continue to treat this scourge as a priority. Thais must demand that we treat others as we would treat ourselves.