ABSTRACT
Trafficking in persons, both transnational and internal, is a rising problem affecting all countries across the Asia-Pacific region. For Southeast Asia particularly, trafficking poses a severe concern, as regional cooperation and integration is deepening. Transnational migration and facilitated movement of people, as well as development of information and technology makes crimes such as trafficking easier. The rapid economic development and urbanisation add to the growing demand for cheap labour, illegal commercial sex and other forms of exploitation. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) collectively as well as each member states’ governments have paid attention to the problem and made commitments to tackle the issue. A number of multilateral initiatives aimed at combating the issue of trafficking in persons are underway. These include ASEAN-led mechanisms and legal instruments addressing trafficking in women and children and the protection of migrant workers; sub-regional processes involving the Indochinese states and China—COMMIT; and the Asia-Pacific-wide Bali Process. This chapter offers an analysis of existing regional collaboration mechanisms, assesses states’ commitments and identifies the existing challenges for the collective action in addressing trafficking in persons. The aim of this chapter is an examination and diffusion of ideas around human rights protection through regional cooperation.
