DSI and IJM held meeting with 17 embassies to deal with human trafficking at Thailand's borders

On September 12, 2024, at the Swissôtel Bangkok Ratchada, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), along with ambassadors, consuls-general, diplomats, representatives from international organizations, the IJM Foundation, and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) participated in a roundtable discussion. The topic was "Cooperation with Embassies that have obligations related to forced labor or services in the form of scamming in the border areas of Thailand." This event was organized by the Human Trafficking Bureau of the DSI and the IJM Foundation, with the goal of strengthening international cooperation in addressing the growing problem of human trafficking, particularly in cases where victims are forced into criminality.

This roundtable discussion was held under the policy of Pol. Gen. Tawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, and overseen by Pol. Maj. Yuthana Praedam, Deputy Director-General of the DSI and Acting Director-General of the DSI, and Pol. Capt. Piya Raksakul, Deputy Director-General of the DSI, who oversees the Human Trafficking Bureau. The objective was to create a platform for exchanging ideas and approaches to prevent and suppress transnational human trafficking, especially in border areas where trafficking networks often exploit the vulnerabilities of victims to force them into committing crimes. Officials from the MSDHS, DSI, and IJM Foundation participated in the meeting, along with representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO), together with diplomats from 17 countries. Key attendees included H.E. Mrs. Florence Buerki Akonor, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Mr. Kiptiness Lindsay Kimwole, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Ms. Rukhsana Afzaal, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Abderrahim Rahhaly, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco; H.E. Ms. E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; and Mr. Olan Viravan, Honorary Consul at the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Kuala Lumpur, along with high-ranking officials from the embassies and consulates of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of South Africa, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Uzbekistan.  

On this occasion, Pol. Maj. Siriwish Kasemsap, Director of the Human Trafficking Bureau, emphasized to the meeting the need to increase international cooperation, stating, "Human trafficking is a borderless crime, and our efforts to combat it must be united. With such cooperation, we can find effective solutions and bring justice to the victims." Mr. Andrew Wasuwongse, Director of the IJM Foundation, stressed the importance of using a victim-centered approach in cases involving forced criminality, saying, "Victims of human trafficking are often forced into committing crimes, which makes their situation even more complex. Today's discussion will help us strengthen protection mechanisms and systems to provide support for these individuals."

The meeting proceeded with in-depth discussions on trends and challenges related to forced criminality. Mr. Ryan Winch, Project Manager for Transnational Crime and Technology at the RSO Bali Process, provided an overview of the regional situation, along with Dr. Sylwia Gawronska, Regional Programme Advisor for Asia and the Pacific at UNODC, who shared insights into the changing nature of human trafficking related to forced criminality. Participants had the opportunity to exchange views during the roundtable discussion, covering topics such as victim assistance and repatriation, national and international referral mechanisms, and prosecution of human trafficking crimes. It was a significant opportunity for the DSI, IJM Foundation, embassies, and international organizations to exchange best practices and establish future cooperation guidelines.

The meeting also addressed the challenges of caring for victims after repatriation, with the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, the Minister Counselor from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, and officials from the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda sharing best practices and challenges in repatriation. This discussion focused on improving the rehabilitation process for victims returning to their countries and ensuring they receive appropriate protection and assistance.

The meeting envisaged a joint commitment to enhance coordination between law enforcement agencies, embassies, consulates, international organizations, and NGOs in combating human trafficking and forced criminality. Participants agreed on the importance of integrating cooperation to dismantle human trafficking and forced labor networks and to protect victims more effectively. There was also consensus that a victim-centered approach is crucial at every stage of the operation, from prosecution to post-repatriation rehabilitation.