The Myanmar government has rejected a report of the United
States on the country's anti-human trafficking efforts, saying that
the US-proposed action of economic sanctions is an unjust
unilateral measure, according to Tuesday's official press
media.
The US State Department's 2006 report on annual trafficking in
persons, issued this month, classified Myanmar in the list of
countries assessed as neither complying with the minimum standard
nor making significant efforts in combating trafficking in
persons.
"The proposed action of economic sanction based on this false
classification is not only unethical and contradicts with
international law but also affronts sovereignty and independence of
states," the Myanmar Foreign Ministry said in its press release
carried on the newspaper New Light of Myanmar.
Noting that Myanmar passed an anti-trafficking in persons law in
September 2005 that covers sexual exploitation, forced labor,
slavery, servitude and debt bondage, the release said during the
year, the government prosecuted 426 traffickers in 203 cases under
the new law and identified 844 victims.
The release criticized US allegation that Myanmar put limitation
and restriction on non-governmental and international organizations
as well as that the country's efforts to prevent trafficking were
inadequate.
The release vowed to continue to exert utmost endeavors to
combat trafficking in persons regardless of negative views and
responses from those who refuse to recognize the on-going efforts
of the Myanmar government.
(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2006)
