It was a massive operation.
International Justice Mission (IJM), a Christian legal advocacy organization, recently reported the rescue of 260 workers from human trafficking operations in Myanmar. These individuals were trapped in “scam compounds,” where they were forced into harsh working conditions, subjected to violence, and constantly monitored. This large-scale rescue operation marks the beginning of what is expected to be one of the biggest efforts to free victims from such centers, with more rescues anticipated in the near future.
The rescue took place in the southeastern town of Myawaddy, Myanmar, where ethnic militias initially freed the victims. They were then handed over to Thai authorities at the border town of Mae Sot. IJM Thailand worked in collaboration with the Thai government and other nonprofit organizations to identify the rescued individuals as victims of human trafficking, with 258 of them recognized under Thailand’s National Referral Mechanism, which aims to assist and protect trafficking victims.
IJM Thailand’s country director, Andrew Wasuwongse, praised the Thai government for its strong action in cutting off electricity and internet access to the compounds used by traffickers on the Thai side of the border. These measures were part of a broader effort to disrupt the operations of human trafficking networks. Wasuwongse urged continued enforcement to eliminate any remaining illegal connections that might support these trafficking activities.
The victims, who came from countries across Asia and Africa, including the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, China, Sri Lanka, and several African nations, had been deceived by false job offers. Many were lured into the scam compounds with promises of high-paying jobs in Bangkok but were instead trafficked into Myanmar and forced to work under inhumane conditions.
IJM’s efforts to combat human trafficking extend beyond this rescue. Their offices throughout Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and neighboring countries, work closely with governments and embassies to support survivors and investigate trafficking networks. Since 2021, IJM has helped rescue around 500 individuals from similar situations of exploitation.