Burmese violence increases chances of trafficking

Thai government sources have told the NGO Human Rights Watch that there is a major Burmese army offensive going on in Shan State, over the border from northern Thailand. The operation is a counter-insurgency measure against the Shan State Army. There is evidence, however, that the Burmese army and other allied organisations are targeting civilians, setting fire to villages, executing men and raping women. As a result of this, between 200 and 500 Shan people are attempting to flee into Thailand every day. At the moment the Thai government does not allow Shan people to claim asylum in the country. This results in Shan people either remaining as internally displaced people in Burma or living illegally in Thailand. In both situations women and children become very vulnerable to human traffickers who sell them into the Thai sex industry. In order to reduce this threat, Human Rights Watch has asked that the Thai government allow official asylum to Shan people. To read the full report, please click here.