1.2 M people trafficked in Asia — Unicef

Some 1.2 million people are trafficked annually across and within national borders, with Southeast Asia and South Asia accounting for the largest number of victims, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has reported.

In its State of the World Population 2006 report, Unicef said some 225,000 and 150,000 people are being trafficked in Southeast Asia and South Asia every year: "Human trafficking is now the third most lucrative illicit business globally, following arms and drug trafficking."

"It is believed to generate some $7 to 12 billion annually — although real numbers are difficult to come by."

ILO estimates that once a victim reaches the destination country, traffickers net an additional $32 billion a year.

"In South Asia, child trafficking is of particular concern: ‘an extension of a serious child labor problem,’ which includes the exploitation of girls for domestic works," Unicef said.

Unicef said in Asia, the biggest number of women trafficked are reported to be "within or from the region."

"The Greater Mekong and Indonesia are major trafficking areas," the report said.

"Thailand, in addition to being a tourist destination, serves as a major source and transit hub for other Asian countries, Australia, the United States and Western Europe."

Unicef said human trafficking is a "global phenomenon" driven by demand and fueled by poverty and unemployment.

It violates international laws and a person’s rights to life, security, liberty, not to be sold in marriage and prohibitions on slavery, torture, inhumane or degrading treatment and on forced and child labor, the report added.

Unicef said human trafficking constitutes that dark "underside" of globalization. — Sheila Crisostomo