New investigations prove that violence, slavery, human trafficking and illegal pirate fishing still persist in the Thai seafood industry, says the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).
The EJF said that its new investigation has uncovered a sophisticated system of slavery and severe human rights abuses aboard pirate fishing vessels operating from the Thai fishing port of Kantang.
Steve Trent, executive director of EJF, said: “These companies are using trafficking, debt bondage, torture and even murder to produce a raw material which is entering a diverse and large number supply chains - from shrimp and pet food to poultry and fertiliser, some of which is destined for consumers in the EU and US.”
The ‘Thailand’s Seafood Slaves’ report identifies and names key individuals involved, including the company “enforcer” allegedly responsible for multiple murders.
In addition it documents the route and processes used to enslave trafficked workers from Myanmar on to fishing boats, reports on the corruption and involvement of local police and provides detailed eye-witness testimony to the violence and murders at sea on fishing vessels and on land.
EJF’s new report comes as Thailand faces increasing global pressure to address human trafficking and combat illegal fishing in its seafood sector.
Pressure is also growing as several global companies face class action lawsuits from consumers in the US over allegations that their products are tainted by slavery taking place aboard Thai fishing vessels.
EJF said that despite the Royal Thai Government introducing a raft of new controls throughout this year, some flagship initiatives are failing to identify and assist victims of exploitation and abuse.
It is calling on the international community to maintain strong pressure on Thailand until it can demonstrate an end to the human rights abuses and illegal and destructive fishing.
- See more at: http://www.worldfishing.net/news101/industry-news/thai-illegal-fishing-persists#sthash.fVUxIjYB.dpuf
New investigations prove that violence, slavery, human trafficking and illegal pirate fishing still persist in the Thai seafood industry, says the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).The EJF said that its new investigation has uncovered a sophisticated system of slavery and severe human rights abuses aboard pirate fishing vessels operating from the Thai fishing port of Kantang.Steve Trent, executive director of EJF, said: “These companies are using trafficking, debt bondage, torture and even murder to produce a raw material which is entering a diverse and large number supply chains - from shrimp and pet food to poultry and fertiliser, some of which is destined for consumers in the EU and US.”The ‘Thailand’s Seafood Slaves’ report identifies and names key individuals involved, including the company “enforcer” allegedly responsible for multiple murders.In addition it documents the route and processes used to enslave trafficked workers from Myanmar on to fishing boats, reports on the corruption and involvement of local police and provides detailed eye-witness testimony to the violence and murders at sea on fishing vessels and on land.EJF’s new report comes as Thailand faces increasing global pressure to address human trafficking and combat illegal fishing in its seafood sector.Pressure is also growing as several global companies face class action lawsuits from consumers in the US over allegations that their products are tainted by slavery taking place aboard Thai fishing vessels.EJF said that despite the Royal Thai Government introducing a raft of new controls throughout this year, some flagship initiatives are failing to identify and assist victims of exploitation and abuse.It is calling on the international community to maintain strong pressure on Thailand until it can demonstrate an end to the human rights abuses and illegal and destructive fishing.- See more at: http://www.worldfishing.net/news101/industry-news/thai-illegal-fishing-persists#sthash.fVUxIjYB.dpuf
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