US Faults Malaysia for Poor Trafficking Record

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Tuesday faulted Malaysia, a key US partner in Southeast Asia, for failing to do enough to stop the sexual and forced labor exploitation of women and children.

The State Department's annual "Trafficking in Persons Report" put Malaysia on its list of top trafficking offenders. Repeat offenders on that list include North Korea, Burma and Fiji.

A man walks past a mural promoting awareness of the crime of human trafficking. The United States on Tuesday put its trading partner Malaysia back on the blacklist of countries trafficking in people. (Photo: AFP)

Countries cited for failing to take adequate steps to address trafficking can be subject to limited sanctions. The report is meant to expose trafficking problems around the world and propose solutions.

The report said that Malaysia is a destination and source "for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and for men, women and children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor."

It recommended that Malaysia's government fully implement and enforce anti-trafficking laws and increase prosecutions, convictions and sentences for both sex and labor trafficking.

The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said in an April report that illegal Burmese migrants deported from Malaysia were forced to work in brothels, fishing boats and restaurants across the border in Thailand if they had no money to buy their freedom.

Malaysia said it found no evidence to support the claim that thousands of deported Burmese migrants were handed over to human traffickers in Thailand.

The State Department report also expressed worry about worsening trafficking records in the Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

These countries were placed on the State Department's "watch list" of trafficking offenders, joining China, India and Sri Lanka.

The State Department report tracks human trafficking for the sex trade, coerced labor and the recruitment of child soldiers. Researchers monitor efforts that countries take to stop trafficking, including prosecution, sentencing and programs to help victims.