Australia and Thailand commence collaboration on the
Australia - Asia program to combat trafficking in persons
26 January 2015
Thailand’s criminal justice response to trafficking in persons received a boost from the Australian Government today, as an arrangement to commence the Australia-Asia Program to Combat Trafficking In Persons (AAPTIP) in Thailand was signed at a ceremony in Bangkok.
This signing marks a milestone in the implementation of AAPTIP – a program through which the Australian Government has made a five-year commitment to strengthen the capacity of governments throughout South East Asia to enhance the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of trafficking crimes.
The arrangement was signed by the Australian Ambassador to Thailand HE Paul Robilliard, and Director-General of the Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency Suchada Thaibunthao, in the presence of Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister, HE General Tanasak Patimapragorn.
Human trafficking remains a critical challenge to countries throughout South East Asia, and the Australian Government has taken a leadership role in combating the trade alongside partner governments and community organisations in the region.
In remarks at the signing event, Ambassador Robilliard noted the Royal Thai Government’s focus on the importance of implementing practical and effective measures to combat trafficking. He urged Thailand to continue on the path of implementation.
“The task for countries such as Thailand and Australia is to continue turning our good intentions into practical protections for migrants and the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Ambassador Robilliard.
“Australia believes that programs like AAPTIP provide a necessary mechanism to help do just that.”
AAPTIP builds on over a decade of Australian support for the anti-trafficking efforts of partner governments in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. AAPTIP also works at the regional level through ASEAN, supporting the anti-trafficking work of the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime.
In Thailand, AAPTIP will work closely with the Department of Special Investigations, the Royal Thai Police, the Office of the Attorney-General, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Together with partners from across these agencies, the program will work to advance Thailand’s national anti-trafficking priorities, including by enhancing cross-border cooperation among trafficking investigators and strengthening protections for trafficking victims as they engage in the process of bringing their traffickers to justice.