What should be done to end the scourge of human trafficking?

Human trafficking exploits women, children and men for numerous illicit purposes. Lao authorities have set up the hotline number 1300 for people to report incidents of human trafficking and also to provide advice. To mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, Vientiane Times asked around for people’s thoughts on this shameful practice.
 

Ms Phoukhong Khounborlin, a resident of Naxaithong district, Vientiane: I think everyone should unite in the fight against human trafficking. We should all be aware of the problem if we go to work in another country. In the meantime, I urge women who are considering marrying a foreign national to consider everything very carefully, to make sure they’re not being tricked. We should learn to recognise the signs of human trafficking so that we can identify a potential victim. The authorities should raise public awareness of the issue and advise people what to look out for and how to protect themselves. I also think the topic should be included in the school curriculum and people should be made aware that it is a modern form of slavery. Parents and educators must also be aware of the ways in which traffickers target school-aged children.
 
Mr Sitar Thammavongsa, a government official in Champassak province: I think it’s a good idea to have a special hotline that people can use to give and get information. I think it’s essential that people all around the country band together to tackle this problem because it’s a crime that threatens women, children and men, who can be trapped into forced labour or the sex trade. Human trafficking is a crime against human rights and debases humanity because victims are often forced to work in illegal and degrading situations. Although many global organisations are trying to put a stop to this problem, it continues, so everyone should do what they can to protect vulnerable people around them and cooperate with officials to fight human trafficking.
 
Ms Tou, a resident of Vientiane province: I’ve heard about this problem of course because it is worldwide and too many people have become victims. I think it’s something that everyone should be aware of. I think women must be extra careful about arranged marriages with foreigners because there’s a risk of abduction by a criminal gang. People in rural areas are especially at high risk and young people working in other countries should also be alert to the possibility of being trafficked. I urge the authorities to do more to publicise this issue, especially local authorities.  
 
Ms Thonglai Khammoun, a government official in Savannakhet province: This is something that retards development in Laos, as well as being a global problem. Even though every country and many organisations are trying to put a stop to human trafficking, gangs continue to operate and prey on vulnerable people. To guard against this, families should protect their children and not allow them to run risks. In addition, the authorities should work more closely with people from all walks of life to make sure everyone understands what can happen and how trafficking gangs operate.   
 
Ms Phaivanh, a student in Vientiane: Many people in my village have gone to work in neighbouring countries, and some were victims of human trafficking gangs. Young people are the most at risk, especially those living in rural areas who are desperate for jobs. Some of my friends left school to find work so they could help their parents. I know they didn’t want to do this, but they didn’t have a choice because some of their family members were ill and needed money. It would be good if the government supported more disadvantaged students from low-income families by giving them the chance of a higher education, as this would prevent themselves and their families from falling victim to human traffickers.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update August 2, 2022)