Over 270 human trafficking cases reported in 10 months

Over 270 human trafficking cases reported in 10 months
An educative program at a ceremony to mark the anti-human trafficking day
An educative program at a ceremony to mark the anti-human trafficking day
Published 11 November 2018
Wai Lin Aung

From January to October this year, there were 277 reported human trafficking cases, and the police arrested 502 people involved in the human trafficking cases, according to the Anti-Human Trafficking Police.

There were 24 forced prostitution, 136 forced marriages, 11 forced labour, two forced maid cases, three surrogacy cases and one child sale case.

Shan State topped the list of human trafficking cases, followed by Yangon Region.

A police officer from the Anti-Human Trafficking Police said: “According to the records, even parents sell their offspring. It occurred in Chin State. They sold their children due to money. It is also found that parents are involved in some cases. Traffickers lure parents by taking advantage of their financial problems. The anti-human trafficking police are carrying out extensive knowledge sharing through the distribution of leaflets and educative talks as well as SMS. Myanmar has opened the relation office in China where most of human trafficking cases are taking place. In addition, we have opened the similar office in Thailand.  Myanmar is also cooperating with Mekong Region countries including ASEAN countries.”

Traffickers mainly target women and young girls. According to the records, the trafficking in women accounts for 85 per cent and child, for 4.38 per cent.

Most of human trafficking is heading to China. Traffickers give incentives to the poor families by taking advantage of lack of development and low employment opportunities.

The people can lodge a complaint about any suspicious case to the Anti-Human Trafficking Police’s hotline numbers: 09-5949555666, 09-5949555777, 09-5949555888 and 09-5949555999.