Failure to meet minimum standards in fighting human trafficking has landed Thailand and Malaysia on a US Department of State blacklist, a move that could strain relations with two important US partners in Asia.
However, the department improved its rating of strategic rival China, citing Beijing’s steps to abolish re-education-through-labor camps.
US Secretary of State John Kerry launched the annual US assessment of how 188 governments have performed in fighting the flesh trade and other forms of exploitative labor.
Thailand had mounted a determined campaign to prevent a downgrade that could exact a reputational cost on its lucrative seafood and shrimp industries for which the US is a key market.
Thailand’s ambassador to the US Vijavat Isarabhakdi expressed disappointment with the downgrade, saying the report did not recognize “our vigorous, government-wide efforts that yielded unprecedented progress and concrete results.”
However, he said Thailand would continue to collaborate closely with the US on combating human trafficking and in other areas.
The Trafficking in Persons Report is one of several annual assessments issued by the department on human rights-related topics, but it is unusual in that it ranks nations, which can ruffle diplomatic feathers.
The report is based on the actions governments take, rather than the scale of the problem in their country.
Globally, more than 20 million people are believed affected.
“There cannot be impunity for those who traffic in human beings. It must end,” Kerry said, describing it as slavery in the 21st century and an illicit business generating annual profits of US$150 billion.
Thailand and Malaysia are among 23 countries to receive the lowest ranking, tier three.
Incumbents at that level include Iran, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Zimbabwe.
Two other nations were also demoted to that level: Venezuela and the Gambia. China, put on tier three last year, was elevated to a watch list.
US President Barack Obama now has 90 days to determine whether to apply sanctions against tier three governments, which can include blocking arms financing, grants for cultural and educational exchange programs, and withdrawing US support for loans from the World Bank and IMF.
However, the US often chooses not to, based on its national security interests, as it did last year for China, Russia and Uzbekistan.
Given the Obama administration’s attempt to deepen its ties with Asia, human rights groups had been watching closely to see if Washington might shy from downgrading Thailand and Malaysia.
Luis CdeBaca, US ambassador-at-large for human trafficking issues, said the US was mindful of the diplomatic sensitivities, but ultimately was guided by the facts on the ground and would not flinch from “telling a close friend an uncomfortable truth.”
Both nations had faced automatic demotion unless they showed improvement during the annual reporting period that ended on March 31. Other countries in a similar position — Afghanistan, Barbados, Chad and the Maldives — were promoted to tier two.
Thailand maintained it had stepped up its anti-trafficking efforts in the past year. The government reported 674 investigations last year, more than double the number in 2012, and that it punished or investigated at least 38 Thai police.
However, CdeBaca said official complicity in human trafficking remained widespread.
He said there had been few efforts by Thailand to stop debt bondage and forced labor — including in its commercial fishing, shrimp and seafood processing industries.
The report paints a grim picture: Some migrants remain at sea for several years, working 18 to 20 hours per day for seven days a week, facing threats and beatings.
The report found Thai civilian and military officials reportedly profited from the smuggling of minority Muslims from Myanmar and Bangladesh, and their sale into forced labor on fishing vessels.
The US contended that anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts in Malaysia have decreased, with fewer investigations and convictions last year than in 2012.
Migrant workers on palm oil plantations, construction sites, textile factories and in homes as domestic workers face wage fraud and restrictions on their movement, the report said.
The precarious situation of migrant laborers has been underscored in recent days. In Malaysia, two overcrowded boats carrying Indonesian workers have capsized this week, leaving dozens dead or missing.
Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking director Melysa Sperber voiced serious concerns about the US’ own efforts, notwithstanding its tier one status. She said government assistance for trafficking victims was inadequate.
“That’s simply unacceptable when we are marching around the world judging other countries,” Sperber added.
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