Ms. Joy Ezeilo, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, of the Human Rights Council (HRC) is on an official visit to Thailand during 8 — 19 August 2011, to examine the impact of anti-trafficking measures to combat trafficking in persons (TIP) in the country. Her mission aims at learning about the legal framework and policy to combat TIP; following up developments of relevant agencies and civil society organizations in prevention, suppression of traffickers, and protection and assistance for victims of trafficking; and identify current challenges on this issue.
The Special Rapporteur has been meeting with various Government agencies and civil society, as well as visiting protection and occupational training centres in Bangkok and in the provinces, including field trips to Tak, Chiang Mai, Samut Sakhon and Songkhla provinces, which would provide an opportunity for her to gain a broad and balanced understanding of Thailand’s efforts in combating the complex issue of trafficking in persons. Afterwards, on Friday 19 August 2011 at 11.00 — 12.00 hrs, the Special Rapporteur will give a press conference at Narathip Auditorium, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The press conference will be conducted in English with simultaneous translation into Thai.
Ms. Ezeilo assumed her functions as Special Rapporteur on 1 August 2008 and her mandate has been recently renewed for a second term. A strong advocate of human rights, Ms. Ezeilo is a human rights lawyer and professor at the University of Nigeria and had served in various capacities in the Nigerian government.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th