Nearly 260 workers freed from Myanmar scam compounds identified as trafficking victims in Thailand – International Justice Mission

 

Report on Multi-National Human Trafficking Rescue Operation in Southeast Asia

Executive Summary

A recent operation resulted in the liberation of 260 individuals from forced labor in online scamming compounds in Myawaddy, Myanmar. The victims, originating from 19 countries, were transferred to Thai authorities and subsequently identified as victims of human trafficking. This multi-stakeholder intervention, involving government bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and an ethnic armed group, represents a significant step toward achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Operation Details and Victim Support

In February 2025, a large-scale release of individuals trapped in industrial scamming operations was facilitated. An ethnic armed militia group in Myanmar released 260 people, who were then handed over to authorities in Mae Sot, Thailand. Following the transfer, Thai officials formally identified 258 of the individuals as victims of human trafficking under the nation’s National Referral Mechanism. The victims represent a diverse international group from Asia and Africa, including the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Brazil.

Alignment with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

This case is a direct countermeasure to severe violations of labor rights and directly addresses SDG Target 8.7, which calls for immediate measures to eradicate forced labor and end modern slavery and human trafficking. The criminal syndicates’ methods highlight the antithesis of decent work:

• Victims were lured with false promises of high-paying, white-collar jobs, only to be trafficked across the Thai-Myanmar border.
• They were forced into exploitative working conditions characterized by constant surveillance and extreme violence, including threats and beatings.
• The operation’s success in freeing these individuals is a critical step in dismantling systems of forced labor and protecting migrant workers from exploitation.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration and Institutional Response

The success of the response was contingent on a coordinated, multi-stakeholder partnership, a core principle of SDG 17. International Justice Mission (IJM) Thailand mobilized a rapid response team to assist with victim identification, provide translation services, and support survivors. This effort was conducted in close coordination with Thai authorities and local non-profit partners.

Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The operation exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership for sustainable development, involving a complex network of actors:

1. An ethnic armed militia group initiated the release of the captives.
2. The Thai government managed the cross-border reception and led the official victim identification process through its Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT).
3. International Justice Mission (IJM) provided critical support in victim identification, translation, and survivor care.
4. Local non-profit organizations collaborated on the ground to ensure a comprehensive response.
5. IJM’s regional offices are coordinating with various embassies to facilitate repatriation and care, demonstrating international cooperation.

Strengthening SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The response reinforces SDG 16 by promoting the rule of law and strengthening institutions to combat transnational crime. Key actions underscore this commitment:

• The effective use of Thailand’s National Referral Mechanism demonstrates a robust institutional framework for protecting trafficking victims.
• Decisive action by the Thai government, including cutting electricity and internet supplies to the scam compounds in Myanmar, aims to disrupt the criminal infrastructure.
• IJM’s ongoing support for the criminal justice system has contributed to the conviction of 15 perpetrators involved in forced scamming, including one trafficker sentenced to 30 years in prison in Thailand, ensuring access to justice for victims.
• The operation is part of a broader strategy to dismantle the criminal syndicates that have operated with impunity, thereby enhancing regional security and justice.

Regional Impact and Long-Term Strategy

This incident is part of a larger regional crisis, with thousands of individuals from over 60 countries trafficked into forced scamming operations in recent years. The coordinated response sets a precedent for future actions against these cross-border criminal networks.

Sustained Efforts for Regional Justice and Stability

IJM’s sustained efforts across Southeast Asia, including in Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, are crucial for a comprehensive regional strategy. Since 2021, IJM has assisted nearly 500 individuals identified as victims of forced scamming. The continued collaboration between governments, law enforcement, and civil society organizations is essential to expand enforcement, secure the release of more victims, and ensure that criminal syndicates are held accountable, thereby building a safe and just future in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article directly addresses the violation of decent work principles by focusing on human trafficking for forced labor. It describes how victims are “lured to scam centers with promises of high salaries” but are instead “trafficked…and forced to work in exploitative working conditions.” The core issue is the eradication of forced labor and modern slavery, which is a central theme of SDG 8.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is relevant as the article highlights efforts to combat transnational organized crime (criminal scam syndicates) and strengthen justice systems. It mentions the “Thai government’s decisive action,” the use of a “National Referral Mechanism for protecting victims,” and the work of “Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT).” Furthermore, it notes that the justice system response has “led to the convictions of 15 perpetrators,” demonstrating a focus on promoting the rule of law and ensuring access to justice for victims.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article is a clear example of SDG 17 in action. It repeatedly praises the “collaboration between Thai authorities and non-profit organization partners.” The entire operation described involves a multi-stakeholder partnership between a government (Thailand), an international NGO (IJM), local non-profits, and coordination with authorities in other countries (Myanmar and the victims’ home countries) to address a complex, cross-border issue.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking. The article’s entire focus is on this target. It details the release of 260 people from “industrial-scale, online scamming operations” where they were victims of trafficking and forced labor, describing the conditions as “horrific” and involving “constant surveillance, threats of physical punishment, and beatings.”

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against… The article directly relates to this target by describing the rescue of individuals from trafficking and exploitation in scam compounds.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. This is demonstrated by the Thai government’s use of its “National Referral Mechanism” and “Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT)” to formally identify victims, and the successful prosecution that led to “the convictions of 15 perpetrators involved in forced scamming.”
• Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity… to combat… crime. The collaboration between Thai authorities and IJM, an international partner, to “assist victim identification and response efforts” and support the government’s MDTs is a direct example of strengthening national institutional capacity through international cooperation.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article explicitly showcases such a partnership. Andrew Wasuwongse of IJM states, “We’re grateful for the Thai government and the non-profit organizations we partner with, who have been working tirelessly to support survivors.” This highlights a public-civil society partnership working to achieve a common goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative data points that can serve as indicators to measure progress.

Indicators for SDG 8 and SDG 16

• Number of victims of trafficking rescued and identified: The article provides precise numbers that can be used as indicators. It states, “260 people…were released” and “Thai officials identified 258 of the freed individuals as human trafficking victims.” It also mentions IJM has “assisted close to 500 individuals” since 2021. This data measures the effectiveness of anti-trafficking operations (Target 8.7, 16.2).
• Number of perpetrators brought to justice: The article reports that the justice system response “has led to the convictions of 15 perpetrators involved in forced scamming to date, including one trafficker in Thailand sentenced to 30 years imprisonment.” This is a direct indicator of progress in promoting the rule of law and access to justice (Target 16.3).
• Existence and application of national anti-trafficking frameworks: The mention of “Thailand’s National Referral Mechanism” and the government’s “Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT)” serves as a qualitative indicator that strong institutions and processes are in place to protect victims (Target 16.3, 16.a).

Indicators for SDG 17

• Evidence of multi-stakeholder partnerships in action: The article itself is a testament to an active partnership. It describes how “IJM Thailand rapidly mobilized a team…to respond by assisting victim identification and response efforts at the border” in direct coordination with “local non-profit organizations and Thai authorities.” This collaboration is a qualitative indicator of a functioning partnership (Target 17.17).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.7: Eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking.	Number of people released from forced labor: 260 Number of individuals identified as trafficking victims: 258 Total number of victims assisted by IJM since 2021: “close to 500”
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking. 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice. 16.a: Strengthen national institutions through international cooperation to combat crime.	Number of perpetrators convicted: 15 Existence of national frameworks: “National Referral Mechanism,” “Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT)” Evidence of international cooperation: Joint response at the Thai-Myanmar border involving an international NGO.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	Existence of a public-civil society partnership: Collaboration between Thai authorities, IJM, and local NGOs. Actions undertaken by the partnership: Victim identification, translation services, survivor support, and coordination of response efforts.

Source: ijm.org