Recent Reports

Support HRW

About HRW

Site Map

OWED JUSTICE Thai Women Trafficked into Debt Bondage in Japan Human Rights Watch New York · Washington · London · Brussels Copyright © September 2000 by Human Rights Watch. All rights reserved. Printed in the Unted States of America. ISBN 1-56432-252-1 Library of Congress Card Number: 00-107963 CONTENTS Acknowledgments I. Summary II. Key Recommendations III. Context Labor migration Regional migration in Asia Immigration from Thailand to Japan Male and female migration patterns Visa policies--skilled and unskilled Criminal networks The Sex Industry in Japan Government policies Role of foreign migrants Trafficking A Global Problem Into the Japanese sex industry IV. Profiles Pot Kaew Chan Nuch V. International Legal Standards On Trafficking In Women Trafficking in women--a human rights violation Other relevant standards for combating trafficking in women Forced labor, servitude, and practices similar to slavery Labor rights violations VI. Recruited In Thailand--Sold On Japan Methodology Recruits Recruiters Agents Escorts Brokers Procurers/Employers VII. Servitude In The "Snack Bars" Snack bars Debt Bondage Fines "Resale" Tactics to prevent escape Passport Deprivation Restrictions on movement and communication Violence/Intimidation Excessive hours Abuse by clients Risks to physical and mental health Release from debt "Finishing" the debt Escape VIII. Deportation As "Illegal Aliens" Voluntary surrender Difficulties in obtaining the documentation and funds to return home Abusive treatment of deportees Arrest, detention, and deportation Arbitrary arrest of trafficking victims Arbitrary and prolonged detention Violations of due process in deportation procedures Abusive conditions in immigration detention facilities Excessive restrictions on communication Mistreatment in the criminal justice system IX. Response Of The Japanese Government Response to Trafficking in Persons--Rhetoric without action Existing legislation that could be used to punish trafficking and debt bondage Penal Code Anti-Prostitution Laws Entertainment Businesses Law Labor Laws Immigration Law Lack of due diligence in enforcing existing laws Laws and policies that exacerbate trafficking victims' vulnerability to abuse Targeted and mistreated as "illegal aliens" and "prostitutes" Excluded from Labor Protections Lack of labor rights protections for undocumented immigrants Lack of labor rights protections in the sex industry Denial of access to critical public services, such as subsidized health care Discrimination in access to emergency health care Denial of subsidized treatment for HIV/AIDS Discrimination in access to reproductive health care Immigration reporting requirement Assistance provided by local advocates and private service providers Private organizations provide shelter, health care, and other services Volunteer advocates have provided some victims with a measure of redress X. Response Of The Thai Government Combating Trafficking in Women Education and Awareness-Raising Programs Legislative Reform Weak enforcement efforts Policies that incorporate gender discrimination Hilltribe women's vulnerability Services for Victims Assistance in repatriation Shelter and vocational training in Thailand Violations of the right to return to one's own country Biases undermine usefulness of skills training programs No effort to assist women in seeking compensation for violations XI. International Response Government Efforts: Multilateral and Bilateral Intergovernmental Organizations Address Trafficking in Persons XII. Recommendations To the Japanese Government To the Thai Government To the Japanese and Thai Governments To All Governments To Intergovernmental Organizations United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) International Organization For Migration (IOM) International Labor Organization (ILO) World Health Organization (WHO)