The Thailand Institute of Justice has joined the fight against human trafficking and announced last week that it will work closely with the Office of the Attorney General to find solutions and take more vigorous actions on cases of human trafficking.
Adisak Panupong, Director of the Institute, said at a seminar on anti-human trafficking capacity building for public prosecutors on November 18 that if a full range of actions were taken, the problem of human trafficking could be resolved within three years. While human trafficking is unlikely to be eliminated in that time span, the measures proposed by the Institute could strengthen enforcement, prevention and protections that would lead to significant progress towards reducing the numbers of victims of traffickers and turn the tide on the problem.
The measures proposed by the Institute include assembling a database of cases and human trafficking litigation; conducting seminars on judges’ roles in suppressing human trafficking; and training for police and prosecutors to ensure justice and appropriate remedial measures for the victims.
Attorney General Trakul Winitnaiyapak said human trafficking is a national agenda which must be urgently addressed. He urged public prosecutors to develop a body of knowledge on human trafficking crime prosecution, noting that even though Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act has been in force for over six years, some in law enforcement still don’t have a proper understanding of the law.
Thailand’s economic development and porous borders draw hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants to the Kingdom. Transnational crime syndicates, aided by corruption, prey on migrants, some of whom fall into the hands of traffickers. Thailand’s difficulties in preventing this activity led the United States Department of State to rank the Kingdom as one of the worst offending nations in its most recent annual Trafficking in Persons report.
Office of the Attorney General’s International Affairs Office chief Wanchai Rujanawong said human trafficking was as serious as drug crimes. He also warned that unless Thailand takes strong and effective action, the country would face boycotts.
Established by the government in 2011, the Thailand Institute of Justice, or TIJ, is affiliated with the Ministry of Justice. The institute aims to promote excellence in research and capacity building in crime and justice. Building on Thailand’s engagement with the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the U.N. Crime Congresses, TIJ serves as a bridge to transport global ideas into local practice. This includes enhancing domestic justice reform and a rule-based community within the Southeast Asian region.
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