Action taken against brokers and illegal traders involved in human trafficking
Members of the Myanmar National Working Committees Women's Affairs make a field trip to the Shan State (East) to implement development programmes and projects for Myanmar women in the region
Female twins conjoined at the hip separated after successful surgical operation at the Mandalay Paediatric Hospital
[ 17th August, 2002 ]

A press conference was held at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road at 10:00 hours to brief local and foreign news correspondents on - Official action that has been taken to apprehend and arrest smugglers and brokers involved in Human Trafficking; the Field Trip made by members of the Myanmar National Work Committees for Women's Affairs to Shan State (East) to supervise and implement development programmes and projects for women in the region and the successful surgical operation undertaken at Mandalay Paediatric Hospital to separate female twins conjoined at the hip.

The Minister for Labour U Tin Win, Vice-Chief of the Defence Services Military Intelligence Maj. Gen. Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig. Gen. Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig. Gen. Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr. Kyaw Myint and responsible military officials of the Ministry of Defence, of government departments, and Patron of the Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htwe, Chairman U Sai Kai Hpa and members and other invited guests attended the conference Major Thaike Soe of the Ministry of Defence officiated as Master of Ceremonies.

First, Head of Department of the Ministry of Defence Colonel Than Tun clarified the situation concerning crimes committed in human trafficking and action taken to apprehend and indict brokers and other perpetrators involved. He recounted how young men and women in rural areas across the country were found to be leaving the country illegally via neighbouring countries on grounds of finding jobs abroad. The people who were enticing the young people to leave the country illegally were none other than brokers in human trafficking. Most of the youths who are the victims of these people are from rural areas. They are simple people with no idea of how they are being exploited nor of the suffering that would be their lot. Being simple and uninformed these young people trusting these brokers implicitly are tempted by tales of how one could get rich overnight in foreign parts. So they paid these villains their hard-earned money for travel expenses etc: Some of these unfortunate young people were sold outright by the brokers while action was taken against others by foreign countries for violating their immigration laws. These young people would then be put in jail and be physically punished with severe caning. Some countries would sentence them to prison terms where they were tortured and mistreated. The main causes of the plight of these young people from the rural areas is trusting the human brokers implicitly and also mistakenly believing the rumours spread by people of ill will. Members of Myanmar Intelligence agencies have done their utmost to prevent such illegal immigration through back door routes.

Within this year 2002, we were able to prevent attempts made to leave the country illegally and legal action was taken against brokers in 27 cases with 34 human brokers arrested and charged. I would like to give a few examples of such action that was taken against offenders. On 8 June 2002, twenty-seven men and women belonging to the Kachin/Rawan ethnic race from Myitkyina, Putao and Mogaung regions arrived in Kalemyo to leave secretly for America via India to work there.

Again on 12 June 29 men and women of the Kachin/Rawan ethnic race arrived in Kalemyo and another 9 belonging to the same national group arrived in Tamu the same day. Because their movements seemed suspicious the authorities concerned summoned them for questioning. It was then found that these people had heard false news that had been circulated in the crowded and busy places in their native towns, and even in their churches, that a refugee camp had been opened across the border in India and that if they could afford to spend just 30 dollars, they could go on to America where it was said, they would also be given jobs. They told the authorities they had wanted to go to this refugee camp in India from either Kale or Tamu because they intended to go and work in America. However, these young people  soon found out that there was no such refugee camp in India that would help them proceed to America. Realizing that they had been deceived with false information some had found accommodations in lodgings and others with friends and acquaintances. This had led to their being questioned by the authorities. They also reported that each had had to pay the broker who brought them to the border cash ranging from kyat 50,000 to 150,000.

Of those who were thus cheated and swindled 38 were young men and 27, young women. The authorities explained the true situation to them and after making arrangements sent them safely home to parents and guardians. Two brokers were arrested and charged in this case.

In August 2002, eight human brokers and 191 persons who intended to go abroad illegally to work were apprehended in Yangon and Mandalay.

This group of 191 young men and women from townships such as Mudon, Ye, Thanbyuzayat, Kyaikmayaw, Hpa-an and Mawlamyine in Kayin and Mon States had been tricked into coming to Yangon by human smugglers who had promised them safe passage via Kawthaung to work in Yodaya. Information was then received that this group, which would be going by air to Kawthaung had been temporarily accommodated in monasteries, prayer halls, lodging houses and in some residential quarters. Investigations made by the authorities concerned showed the way to "Myintmo Khit Tathaung" lodging house in Mayangon Township where 12 men and 3 women were staying. Another group of 25 men and 5 women were also found to be putting up at the house of one U Soe Tint at No. 14, Seitta Thukha Street in Sanchaung Township. A third group of 31 men and 16 women were found to be staying at the Mon Dhammayone in Dagon Township; a fourth group of 12 men and 9 women were found at Kyaikthee Monastery in Bahan Township and still another group of 12 men and 9 women were discovered at Ramanya Weponla Monastery in Bahan Township. Then 3 men and 1 women were apprehended at Yangon Airport just as they were about to board a flight to Kawthaung, making a total of 118 men and 73 women and a final count of altogether 191 people who were thus stopped from attempting to leave the country illegally.

According to further investigations it was discovered that the 45 people found at "Myintmo Khit Tathaung" lodging house and at U Soe Tint's house in Sanchaung Township had been the victims of a scam run by brokers U Soe Tint and Daw Thaung Yee. The brokerage fees charged for each person was between kyat 39,000 and kyat 85,000 and that those apprehended at the above addresses were people who were waiting for air tickets to Kawthaung. The group of 47 people staying at the Mon Dhammayone in Dagon Township had been lured and misled by Soe Aye and Win Ko who charged each person kyat 140,000 with promises to send them to Ranaung in Yodaya. The 93 people staying at the Kyaikthee and Ramanya Weponla monasteries had been brought to Yangon, by brokers Khin Maung Win, Daw Tin Nge and Daw Nyunt Kyein who charged each person between kyat 10,000 to kyat 70,000 with false promises to send them on to Kawthaung.

We were thus able to uncover and apprehend 5 brokers U Soe Tint, Daw Thaung Yee, Win Ko, Khin Maung Win and Daw Tin Nge involved in human trafficking. Information was then received that these people had contacts with residents of Kawthaung who dispatched people across to the country next door. This enabled the authorities to arrest 4 persons in Kawthaung who were part of this smuggling ring and action is being taken against them in accordance with the laws of the country.

Similarly, 36 youths from Chaungzon Township, Ye Township, Paung Township and from the towns of Kyaikmaraw, Mudon and Bago arrived in Yangon to cross over to the next door country to find jobs. But they were all picked up at Yangon Airport on 12 August just as they were about to board a flight to Kawthaung. The brokers for this group were Kyaw Kyaw Win and Ma Win Thi. Kyaw Kyaw Win has been arrested and action is being taken against him. In another case, on 12 August, a combined force of law enforcement personnel stopped a minibus travelling from Mandalay to Lashio near a spirit shrine in Aung Pinle Ward in Chan Mya Thazi Township and on questioning found out that the woman passenger in the car was one who lived in Hlaing Tharyar Township and that she was now on her way to work in China. Two human brokers Ma Aye Hsi and Thaung Nyunt who had tempted her with false promises of good wages have been arrested.

All those who had been misled and deceived by the brokers however have been given educative talks on the real situation, and the authorities concerned have explained to them how these brokers in human trafficking were simply exploiting them. All of them were sent back to their respective homes on 14 August. In all the cases so far mentioned, effective action will be taken against the culprits and suitable punishment shall accordingly be meted out. There are also other cases where such crimes were uncovered only when the victims had reached Kawthaung.

The authorities concerned are firmly committed to taking punitive action in such cases of human trafficking to stamp out this evil crime.

Head of the Education Group of the Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs Daw Khin Aye Win gave an account of the field trip to Shan State (East) by members of the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs. This contingent headed by member of the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs Dr. Daw Khin Win Shwe left Yangon on 5 August to meet with women from both urban and rural areas in Shan State (East). The other members of the team consisted of Work Committee Vice-President Daw May May Yee, Secretary U Sitt Myaing and heads of the Education, Health, Economic, Culture, Environmental Conservation, Information, Legal Affairs and Consultation and Young and Adult Women's Groups. The team met with members of non-governmental organizations and the people of the region including members of religious associations such as the YMCA. They held discussion and coordinated work in progress and projects for the future.

The Women Affairs team held discussions with the regional level Women's Affairs Committee members on how to further promote development of the women in the Shan State (East) region and to provide them with protection and safety from all kinds of peril.

Discussions were also held and information collected with regard to the news on Human Trafficking and the case of sexual assault being broadcast by the foreign media. The team visited not only the urban areas but also the villages in the vicinity to discuss the matter and collect accurate information. The foreign media reports were found to be entirely false. The Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association like the MNCWA also has branch associations right down to the grass roots level and they have participated and cooperated in women's affairs. Women's Affairs Committees have also been formed at the ward and village levels as well and as of now 80% of the women in the region has joined as members.

In visiting the villages, the Yangon Women Affairs team held talks in small groups in order to gain intimacy. The talks on whether they had social problems and whether or not there had been cases of sexual assault were frank and friendly and there was a fruitful exchange of views and opinions. The Yangon team also went to the town of Mongphyat to hold discussions with the women of the national races in the region. It was found that, at present, the women in the region are now enlightened enough to send in letters of complaint at any injustice they have experienced. So if there had really been cases of sexual assault they would have complained to the Work Committee irrespective of whether the culprit was a government employee or soldier. And the Work Committee has never failed to make inquiries and follow up with suitable action. Daw Khin Aye Win said that they have always given priority to any letter of complaint. No doubt communications in some places of Shan State (East) may be difficult, but the Working Committees for Women's Affairs and the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Associations at various levels are all doing their best to protect the basic rights of all women in this region and in the entire country, she said.

Deputy Minister for Health U Kyaw Myint then recounted how a critical surgical operation had been undertaken at the Mandalay Pediatric Hospital to separate female twins joined at the hip. He said this was indeed a landmark achievement in the history of Myanmar Medicine.

This achievement, the minister said, was indeed a source of pride for the Ministry of Health and the world of medicine in Myanmar. The standard of Myanmar Medicine he said is now on a level not only of that of South East Asia but also on a world level.

In implementing the Special Four-Year National Education Plan, according to the deputy minister, the Health Sector has made unremitting efforts to raise the Standard of Health Education in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Head of State and as a result, the standard of Health Care provided in Myanmar at the end of the Four-Year Plan has been found to be on a level or has even exceeded the level of Health Care of neighbouring countries.

The successes which have been achieved are indeed due to the good leadership and correct guidance given by the Head of State, the availability of the most modern medical instruments and equipment, the guidance given by the Chairman of the National Health Committee, the close supervision of the Minister for Health and the capabilities, and diligence of the physicians and surgeons. The 14-hour long surgical operation succeeded due to their dedication and ability.

The Chairman of the Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council, Commander of the Central Command also paid close personal attention to the twins while they were in hospital and has given both moral and material support.

Twins joined at the hip are a rare occurrence in the world; there are only 19 twins in the world so far. From the time the twins arrived in hospital up to the time of the operation, the physicians and surgeons concerned made detailed preparations and made plans for every emergency. They also practiced the surgical procedures to be followed 15 times before the actual operation.

Pediatric surgeon of the Mandalay Pediatric Hospital Professor Dr. Aung Kyi with the help of a multi-media projector explained the surgical procedures followed in separating the Ischiophagns Aripus Conjoined Twins Moe Ma Ma Aung and Moe Pa Pa Aung. They are said to be the 19^th pair in the world to be successfully operated for separation and the first pair in Myanmar.

He said the twins were taken into the operation theatre at 5.45 a.m. on 11 August and surgery began at 6 a.m. The operation began with the twins on their backs. As a first step the abdomen had to be opened to examine the stomach and the condition of the intestinal tract. Then because the back of the small intestine and the beginning of the colon were conjoined as one, this area had to be separated. In the second stage the twins were placed face down and the conjoined pelvic bone had to be cut and separated. After that the conjoined legs and the short joint at the buttocks had to be separated. In the third stage the children were again laid on their backs to examine the urinary tract, separate the conjoined bladder as well as the pubic bone. The conjoined twins were finally separated at 5.07 hours in the evening.

The fourth stage of the operation was to put the children's pubic bones in their proper place, reroute the colon and sew up the surgical wounds. Their legs were then harnessed with plaster. The final touches of the surgery were completed only at 8.15 p.m.

The whole surgical procedure lasted 14 hours and the operation was successful. Surgeon Dr. Aung Kyi said he had made inquiries about them by phone at 7 a.m. this morning and was told that they were in stable condition and that they could now be fed some liquid gruel. This was he said, most heartening news. He said that this landmark event in the history of Myanmar Medicine had been made possible due to the support and encouragement of the State. Credit he said was also due to the Special Surgical Team, the Orthopaedic Specialist Team, the Urinary and Kidney Special Unit, the Special Cardiac Surgery team, the Anesthetics Team, the Nursing Team and the Physicians. He said the skill and cooperation of all had contributed to the success of the operation.

Afterwards Minister for Labour U Tin Win in adding his comments on Human Trafficking said that migrating population in search of work could not be classified as being a phenomenon that belonged to only rich countries or only developing countries. Throughout the history of mankind, people have been nomadic. They have wandered around to look for greener pastures. They have always thought the grass greener in another's pasture than in one's own. This, he said is human nature. People, giving excuses on economic grounds tend to think more highly of other countries without realizing the weakness of his own capabilities. Nonetheless he is prompted by his greed and discontent and therefore dreams of a better life in another place. This is what leads to the crime of Human Trafficking. You will find, the Minister said, that some citizens are never satisfied and will migrate from Yodaya to South Korea and Japan, then from Japan to America and from America to Europe and then from Eastern to Western Europe. There are many instances of this continuous nomadic movement. This is because they fail to see how rich our country is in natural resources and the many opportunities there are. For instance there are now 18 industrial zones and this will soon increase to 26. There are many openings and there will be more. So if only people will only stop to think and try not to let their greed overwhelm them and make them take short cuts that are illegal, these problems would not arise. They do not realize that they would be much better off if only they would try to have some spirit of nationalism and patriotism and cultivate the desire to work and prosper in one's country and in the comfort of one's home and family. If they should nurture this desire to work for the development of one's family and one's country and be prepared to work with industriously he would find that jobs are not scacre in our country.  People should realize that with effort one can work and prosper  in one's own country.

Then queries raised by the correspondents present were answered by Minister for Labour U Tin Win, Vice Chief of the Defence Services Intelligence Maj. Gen. Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr. Kyaw Myint, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig. Gen, thura Myint Maung, Head of Department of the Ministry of Defence Col. Than Tun, Chief of Staff of Police, Brig. Gen. (Police) Tin Win, Education Group Leader of the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs Professor Daw Khin Aye Win, Head of Department of Paediatric Surgery of Mandalay Paediatric Surgery Professor Dr. Aung Kyi.  Head of the Anesthetist Team  Dr. Thant Zin and Brain and Neurological Surgeon Professor Dr. Myint Thein.

The Press conference then came to a close at 11.20 a.m.

Later news correspondents looked at photographic records of action taken against brokers in Human Trafficking.

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