Experts to review laws and guidelines to protect children against trafficking

Experts from seven countries in the region will gather in Bangkok to review legal frameworks and law enforcement capacity in combating child trafficking and to develop child friendly guidelines for the care of children who survived trafficking.

Some 40 senior government officials, representatives of workers, employers and non governmental organizations from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand will participate in the two workshops. The first workshop on legal frameworks and law enforcement will be held during 22-23 November. The second workshop on care of children who survived trafficking will be held on 24 November. Both workshops will be held at the Amari Watergate Hotel. 

Trafficking of children for labour and sexual exploitation is a serious problem in Asia.  Studies indicate that the scope and purposes of trafficking have widened.  In South Asia children have been trafficked within each country and across national borders.  In South East Asia, the situation is similar, as girls and boys who are victims of trafficking are found in brothels, factories, domestic work and in the trafficking and sales of drugs.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Workshop on Legal Frameworks and Law Enforcement Capacity in Combating Child Trafficking for Labour and Sexual Exploitations aims to look at gaps between national and international laws regarding trafficking of children.  It will examine what elements of trafficking are not covered by existing laws, what new laws are required and if each country has adequate capacity to implement the laws.

The ILO Regional Workshop on the Development of Child Friendly Standards and Guidelines for the Recovery and Reintegration of the Survivors of Child Trafficking will review the draft guidelines to ensure child friendly standards and enhance child protection during the recovery period.

Both events are organized by the Regional Project on Combating Child Trafficking for Labour and Sexual Exploitations (TICSA-II), ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. 

Interested media representatives are welcome to attend the opening session on 22 November, from 09.00-09.30 hrs. at the Amari Watergate Hotel, Pratunam.

For further information:

Krisdaporn Singhaseni
Information Oficer
ILO-Bangkok
T: 66 2288 1664