Page 36 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Prior to 1997, Thailand put the focus on Understanding (MOUs) (2003) and provincial
preventive measures, as many young girls governors and chiefs of many governmental
were lured and deceived by false promises of and non-governmental agencies at the
good jobs, but instead ended up being used provincial level to sign seven regional MOUs
for exploitative commercial sex work. in seven regions in Thailand during 2006-
Information was given through the local and 2008. These MOUs are designed to help
national media. Thousands of scholarships to improve coordination and cooperation
retain girls in schools were provided by the among actors, e.g. police, attorneys/
Ministry of Education, the private sector, prosecutors, social workers, labour officers,
NGOs and concerned individuals. Some medical personnel, education officers,
40-50 small groups of parents and community immigration officers, local administrators and
leaders in the risk areas in the northern NGOs. The MOUs are based on human rights
provinces were organized to discuss these principles and use multi-disciplinary, inter-
issues, with the use of videos in local dialects. sectoral and participatory approaches from
Income-generating projects for poor families rescuing and protecting victims to
at risk helped to sustain the livelihood of prosecution process, recovery and
those families. reintegration programmes, including carrying
out preventive measures. Operation centres at
The Sub-Committee on Combating Trafficking the provincial level have been created for
in Women and Children, established in 1994, these activities as well as the national level
was the key national mechanism that with the Ministry of Social Development and
mobilized and coordinated governmental and Human Security.
non-governmental agencies in anti-trafficking
activities. It was responsible for the Anti-trafficking was declared part of the
formulation of the First National Policy and national agenda in 2004, and funding was
Plan of Action in Eradicating Commercial Sex provided. In addition, the Anti-Trafficking in
Exploitation (1996-2001) and the Second Persons Fund was created in the 2008
National Policy and Strategies Combating Anti-Trafficking Law, and the Ministry of
Trafficking in Women and Children (2002- Foreign Affairs has provided some funding for
2010). Both were approved by the Council of embassies and consulates with which to help
Ministers. It also worked with key national victims abroad.
agencies to sign national Memoranda of

24 Dignity and Justice for All of Us