20 rescued from cyber slave camps in Myanmar arrive in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO – A group of Sri Lankans who went to Myanmar for jobs and ended up being trafficked for forced criminal activities in cyber scamming compounds in Myanmar, returned to the island on the early hours of Friday (6). Their repatriation was facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – UN Migration.
The Sri Lankan migrants, according to an IOM press release had been coerced into various cyber scamming activities under the pretext of legitimate job offers in the IT sector and other customer service roles.
Upon their rescue from Myanmar, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand facilitated their movement to shelters operated by the Government of Thailand. IOM provided the required immediate assistance throughout the process.
Remarking on the repatriation effort, Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission for IOM Sri Lanka and the Maldives noted that IOM continues to advocate for a holistic and coordinated approach to combating trafficking in persons. “Human trafficking is not an endeavour that can be mitigated by a single institution or an organization. It requires a multi-pronged approach involving public awareness, government capacity building, and the timely dissemination of accurate and reliable information,” Parco said.
A team from IOM Sri Lanka arrived in Thailand to assess the protection needs of the 20 survivors in coordination with IOM Thailand and facilitated the smooth repatriation of the survivors. IOM’s assistance to the survivors included temporary accommodation, meals and other immediate support in Thailand, facilitating their safe and dignified departure and voluntary return to Sri Lanka, and providing air tickets and onward transportation to their hometowns.
IOM Sri Lanka closely coordinated all repatriation arrangements with the Government of Sri Lanka and aims to provide sustainable reintegration assistance to all survivors of trafficking upon their return to Sri Lanka.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar has also been consistently bringing to the notice of Burmese authorities the dire situation of Sri Lankan victims enslaved in cybercriminal activities orchestrated by traffickers, urging authorities to take immediate action to rescue the victims from such distressing circumstances.
Minoli Don, Head of Protection Unit, IOM Sri Lanka thanked all entities that facilitated the unimpeded repatriation effort and said IOM remains committed to working closely with all partners to promote safe, orderly and regular migration for the benefit for all.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the public to be cautious and to adhere to the proper procedures when pursuing employment opportunities abroad.
The ministry also said it was working to rescue the remaining 34 Sri Lankans stranded in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar, with the support of the relevant governments.
ENCL/IOM
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