Presentation on the Return , Repatriation and Reintegration of Trafficked Persons in Myanmar By Mr. Tha Tun Deputy Director Department of Social Welfare Ministry of Social Welfare ,Relief and Resettlement

Law and Mechanism Trafficking in Persons Law (TIP ) was promulgated on September 13th 2005. According to TIP Law, Central Body including the following three Working Groups was formed ; Working group on Prevention of Trafficking in Person and protection of Trafficked Victims Working group on Legal Framework and Prosecuting Measures Working group on Repatriation ,Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Trafficked Victims

Law and Mechanism (Contd;) TIP Law contains 10 chapters. The acts to protect the victims are; Chapter (5) Safeguarding the Rights of Trafficked victims Chapter (6) Special Protection of Trafficked victims, Women, Children and Youth Chapter (7) Repatriation, Reintegration and Rehabilitation Chapter (8) Establishment of the fund

Plan and Strategy National Plan of Actions (2007-2011)was implemented National Plan of Actions (2012-2016) has been formulated and followed by Annul work plan

Plan and Strategy National Plan of Actions (2012-2016) Five Components -Policy and Cooperation -Prevention -Prosecution -Protection -Capacity Building It has been followed by Annul work plan in 2012

MoU Regarding TIP Regional MoU - COMMIT MoU in 2004 ,September Bilateral MoU - Myanmar-Thailand in 2009,April - Myanmar-China in 2009,November

Functions of Department of Social Welfare Focal Department at the working level for return reintegration of trafficked victims Focal point for communication with Thailand BATAWC concerning working level victim assistance Pre-repatriation planning with other Departments Short-term care in shelter following repatriation Liaison with higher levels of Government and other government departments concerning R&R Follow-up with victims repatriated from China (with support from UNICEF) Secretary of R & R Group

Myanmar’s Victim Protection Structure Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief & Resettlement Department of Social Welfare Other Departments DSW Field Offices UN & NGOs & INGOs

Victims providing services In every time of repatriation of these victims we provided the following services; - Pre-return services - Repatriation services - Rehabilitation services - Follow up services

Pre- return Services Sending the Myanmar social worker to work directly with victims and to collect the victims’ addresses and personal data in order to repatriate them quickly. Informing Immigration and National Registration Department for Nationality confirmation of victims Family Tracing / Assessment (done by DSW,MWAF,WV,SC,IOM ) Discussing with BATWC from Thailand at the Myanmar – Thai Case Management Meeting regarding the victims .

Repatriation Services To repatriate the victims of returnees, DSW offered the following services; After confirming their Nationality, DSW discuss with Thailand DSDW to setup the date, time and place between the two sides for repatriation Transferring the victims at Myawaddy-Maesok checkpoint by both sides accompanied with local authorities, Tachilick, Maisai Check Point MWAF, UNICEF, W.V, SC, IOM and other related organizations.

Temporary Shelter Stay Services to Trafficked Victims Vocational Training Centers for Women in Yangon, Mandalay Mawlamyine and Kyainge Tong Temporary Shelter in Muse for Trafficked Victims from China Provide for basic needs-shelter, food, medical and psycho-social support

Rehabilitation Services Taking care of them at DSW shelter to provide knowledge and skills by respective organization including; Knowledge about trafficking in persons by Anti-trafficking Task Force Social counseling and solving social problem by DSW Knowledge about Myanmar’s traditional culture by MWAF Vocational training by DSW To issue National Registration Card for needy victims, Knowledge about Immigration Law & Regulation by Department of Immigration and Registration.

knowledge about labor Law by Department of Labor Medical Check-up and HIV testing by the consent of victims by Department of Health While the victims received temporary care at the training schools DSW staffs and concerned agencies confirmed their address and tried to contact their family

R&R CHALLENGES IN MYANMAR The main R&R challenge remains successful reintegration. Challenges include; Geography: The spread and remoteness of victims’ home villages in Myanmar means that many victims return home without full reintegration support. Financial Resources: While financial resources for reintegration support are available, they are generally insufficient to meet the needs of All returnees. Funding sometimes comes with geographic restrictions on where it can be spent.

Reintegration Services Temporary stay in DSW shelter, victims were repatriated to their families with the collaboration of Department of Social Welfare, Myanmar Women Affairs Federation INGOs and local authorities. Victims were provided some financial support and material by MWAF, local authorities and UN,INGOs.

Government Departments Collaborate with DSW in Protecting trafficked victims; Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Immigration and National Registration General Administration Department Department of Health

“R&R ACHIEVEMENTS IN MYANMAR” Overall, the main achievement has been the improved efficiency of the return (transportation) process. Improved bilateral coordination with Thailand: 12 successful bilateral Case Management Meetings between Myanmar and Thailand. Regular “Case Worker Visits” organised with Thailand to meet Thai social workers and support victims during the pre-return phase. Regular “R&R Operational Meetings” between DSW and agencies/orgs to plan for each repatriation. Returns from Thailand occurring more regularly and faster.

“R&R ACHIEVEMENTS IN MYANMAR” Nationality Confirmation is now more efficient and timely manner Improved bilateral information exchange with Thailand’s DSDW, incl. operationalisation of a “Matrix of Bilateral Victim Data”. Formed national SOP committee and agreed on way forward for the developing of bilateral SOP Improved bilateral coordination with China: Establishment of a border reception shelter and placement of DSW staff in Muse to support victims of trafficking returned from China.

R&R CHALLENGES IN MYANMAR Human resources: There is a lack of trained and dedicated case workers to meet the reintegration needs of all returnees following their return to Myanmar. Great variety of victims’ experiences of exploitation: This makes it a challenge to offer individualised care to each victim.

R&R CHALLENGES IN MYANMAR Challenge of assisting male victims: Increase in the number of adult male victims returned to Myanmar in the context of a R&R system between Myanmar and Thailand that has until now been designed to protect and assist primarily adult male victims. No pre-return contact with Chinese R&R counterparts: There is presently no contact with social welfare officials or victim support agencies operating in Yunan province and elsewhere in China on assistance to victims prior to their return.

Thank you For your Attention