February 15, 2012
SAM RAINSY HELPING CAMBODIAN WORKERS ENSLAVED IN THAILAND
Because the Hun Sen government doesn’t seem to care about the fate of
Cambodian workers who are victims of human trafficking in Thailand,
opposition leader Sam Rainsy on February 13 wrote to Thai Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asking her to help put an end to a form
of slavery that exists aboard Thai fishing boats employing workers
from Cambodia, Laos and Burma.
SRP Cabinet
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February 13, 2012
Her Excellency Ms. YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Bangkok
By kindness of
His Excellency Mr. SOMPONG SANGUANBUN
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Royal Thai Embassy
Phnom Penh
Your Excellency,
Please allow me to bring your attention to the plight faced by my
countrymen employed aboard Thai fishing boats in conditions pertaining
to modern slavery.
According to the LICADHO Cambodian human rights organization, in 2011
a total of 141 Cambodians who had been trafficked to work on Thai
fishing vessels were rescued and repatriated with the help of the
International Organization for Migration.
Nationals of Laos and Myanmar have also fallen victim to the
traffickers who operate these vessels, according to the Cambodia-based
non-governmental organization Legal Support for Women and Children
(LSWC).
The Thai boats typically fish in Indonesian waters and often unload
their catch at Ambon Island, the LSWC has reported. Those who have
escaped to give details of their treatment were able to reach land at
Ambon.
The men are subject to illegal and disturbing mistreatment. They are
beaten and forced to work night and day without being paid. Some have
been at sea for years in such conditions.
The LSWC reports that workers who fall sick are simply dumped into the sea.
As an elected representative of the Cambodian people, I must ask you
to do everything in your power to eliminate this form of slavery. As
well as being disastrous for the families concerned, such practices
can only make the task of achieving genuine respect and understanding
between our peoples more difficult.
I earnestly request your assistance in dealing with this matter and am
ready to provide further information as needed.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully yours,
Sam Rainsy
Elected Member of Parliament
Opposition leader
