Will Malaysia finally address the human trafficking of Rohingya?

Horrific tragedy: In 2015 authorities discovered death camps and mass graves on both sides of the Thailand and Malaysian border.

IN A FEW WEEKS, Thailand and Malaysia will again be ranked in the US Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP report) for their efforts in combating human trafficking. Many government’s rightly go to great lengths to avoid the lowest ranking – Tier 3 – as it can invite sanctions and have other punitive ripple effects, such as discouraging foreign investment.

This year’s ranking is as important for these two countries as ever – particularly given that each wants to be seen as a champion in the region on the prevention of human trafficking. A key question remains: with regard to trafficked Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, has either government done enough?