Following reports regarding the repatriation of Rohingya victims and those who have suffered from human trafficking, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to provide the following information on the Government's undertaking in providing care and protecting of victims of human trafficking cases:  

 

             1. On 19 July 2017, the Criminal Court concluded the Rohingya human trafficking case sentencing 62 defendants to imprisonment from 4 to 94 years, reflecting the Government’s efforts to combat human trafficking, which has been declared as a national agenda since 2014; 

 

             2. As for victims of human trafficking, the Royal Thai Government has provided protection in accordance with human rights and humanitarian principles by providing them with shelter in the Welfare Protection Centre. In this Centre, the victims can access public health services, employment and educational opportunities as well as other relevant types of assistance, including repatriation to their countries of origin and resettlement in a third country;  

 

            3. With regard to the repatriation of victims to their countries of origin, on 13 December 2016, the Cabinet decided to grant permission for human trafficking victims and witnesses to temporarily stay in Thailand for up to 2 years after the final verdict is reached and work during the meantime; 

 

            4. In the past 2 years, the Royal Thai Government and the Government of Bangladesh have coordinated closely in verifying the national identity of the illegal migrants and victims in Thailand, where 1,500 persons of both groups have already been repatriated. As for Myanmar victims, once identified as Myanmar nationals, the Royal Thai Government successfully repatriated them with the assistance of Myanmar officials at the border. In cases where Rohingya cannot be verified, the Royal Thai Government has sought cooperation from UNHCR and IOM for their resettlement in third countries; 

 

            5. In repatriating these people to their home countries, the Royal Thai Government has fully complied with the human rights standards and attaches high importance to the livelihood and security of the victims once they return to their places of origin. The Government will not send any victims to dangerous circumstances and that they must return home based on willingness, dignity and safety; and  

 

           6. The Government has also provided interpreters and officers who can assist the victims throughout the process including initial reception, interviewing, screening and nationality verification. As of December 2016, the relevant agencies arranged 245 interpreters for six languages (106 for Myanmar, 80 for Cambodian, 43 for Rohingya, 14 for Laotian, 10 for Bahasa Melayu and 1 for Vietnamese) to ensure that the victims can understand and communicate with Thai officers. In 2016, the relevant agencies sent 229 officers working in the Welfare Protection Centers across the country to undergo training on improving standard of protection for child victims, reflecting added priority given to protection of child victims of human trafficking.  

 

           On the whole, Rohingya cases handled by the Royal Thai Government reflect the determination to maintain security and society while committing to humanitarian and human rights principles. The Zero Tolerance policy has been firmly carried out to eradicate human trafficking and to protect injured persons and victims. The Government has coordinated with countries of origin to return those people to their countries on a voluntary, dignified and secure basis. It is also working with all parties, including UNHCR and IOM on resettlement of these people to third countries.