PORT ARTHUR, TX  

The Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America (AOS-USA), the professional association of Catholic Maritime Ministers, Cruise Ship Priests and Catholic Mariners which is centered on the needs of the people of the sea, expressed their concerns for Human Trafficking which persists in the Thai Fishing industry, and urged an end to it.

AOS-USA released a resolution which states that the use of human trafficked labor and slave labor impacts every shrimping family in America. The United States has enacted an anti-trafficking law and the United Nations adopted the Palermo Protocol. However though Thailand is a treaty ally of the United States, human trafficking issues persist in the country.

"We are fundamentally opposed to any type of human trafficking and slave labor" stated Captain Pietro Parravano, the AOS-USA Fishing Committee Chairperson, who is also a professional fisherman. "With World Fisheries Day coming up on November 21, AOS-USA calls upon the United States Department of State to press the Government of Thailand to end slavery and human trafficking in the fishing and shrimp farming industry, and we call for the immediate release of British Activist, Andy Hall is who exposed alleged trafficking and slavery in the canned fruit and fishing industry and is now being held by the Thai Government for a defamation case."

"AOS-USA encourages consumers not to purchase seafood products that utilize slave labor, stated Parravano. "We encourage consumers to purchase seafood products that are not harvested using human trafficked labor and slavery. Rather, purchase seafood that has been harvested in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner."

A Thai court has dismissed a criminal defamation case against a British labour activist who criticised conditions in the food industry.

A Thai pineapple company brought the case against Andy Hall after a report he wrote which alleged labour abuses by the firm and others.

The court said the investigation into the case did not meet certain legal requirements.

Mr Hall faces more charges of violating Thailand's computer crimes act.

Last year, Mr Hall authored a report for Finnwatch, a Finland-based watchdog, alleging poor labour conditions in seafood and pineapple export companies in Thailand.

The allegations include wages below the legal minimum, long working hours at factories and illegally confiscating passports.

Natural Fruit, which brought the charges, was one of the companies named and denies the findings of the report.

The defamation charges relate to an interview Mr Hall gave to the Al-Jazeera network on the allegations in the report while in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).

"However, there was only one police officer at the time of his interrogation, therefore we deem the investigation to be incomplete."

On Finnwatch's Facebook page Mr Hall said: "I'm delighted at today's court ruling. It's real victory for migrant workers, labour rights, rule of law, freedom of expression in Thailand".

A lawyer for Natural Fruit said the company would appeal against the decision. Mr Hall also still faces a number of other civil and criminal defamation cases brought by the firm.

He has also been charged with violation of the computer crimes act, which holds a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says Thailand's treatment of migrant workers has come under ever increasing international scrutiny.

Thailand imports migrant labour from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar for farming, fishing and construction jobs.

However, many work without official permits and are paid below minimum wage.

"Fishing is in fact one of the oldest and arduous human activity and it is generally poorly paid or rewarded. The forms of fishing are as many and varied almost as the kind of fish that they catch. Like all seafarers, fishers most of the time are sailing and spend very little time with their family and, on account of their way of life, they are often marginalized and deprived of the ordinary pastoral ministry"[1]

On the annual celebration of World Fisheries Day, the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) International would like to draw attention to the fishing sector that provides employment and livelihood for circa 58.3 million people, of which 37 percent are engaged full time.  

In this day, I would like to call on all the national and local AOS to renew their commitment to establish a significant presence in fishing ports and develop specific programmes to make fishers and their families an integral part of the local Christian community, giving them the opportunity to express themselves and their needs without being isolated.

Ratification of the Work in Fishing Convention (2007) C 188

Fishing is recognized as one of the most dangerous profession in the world with hundreds of lives lost at sea every year and many more affected by occupational hazards. Fishers can be easily exploited, abused and become victims of trafficking and forced labor,as it has been reported and documented in the mass media.

Once ratified, the Work in Fishing Convention (2007) C 188, adopted at the 96thInternational Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO), will be a useful tool, if not to totally eradicate these circumstances at least to improve them by bringing additional protection and benefits. As a matter of fact, the objectives of the Convention are to ensure that all fishers engaged in commercial fishing

The Convention will enter into force 12 months after the date on which ten Members, eight of which are coastal States, will ratify it.

Catholic seafarers' charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has launched new resources for schools ahead of World Fisheries Day on November 21.

AoS director of development John Green said fishermen and fishing continues to provide a vital socio-economic lifeline for many people globally.

"These attractive and engaging resources, written by teachers, will capture the reality of the lives of fishermen, individuals who are so important to our way of life but whom we know very little about," he said.

The resources were produced in association with Ten Ten Theatre, and are aimed at children in Key Stages 2 and 3. The material provides an insightful and candid look into the lives and work of fishermen and how AoS provides them with practical and pastoral support when needed.

AoS' port chaplain in Blyth, Sunderland and Tyne, Paul Atkinson, is currently supporting two fishermen who were rescued after their trawler sank in the North Sea earlier this month.

The men are from the vessel Ocean Way FR 349. The ship's captain lost his life in the incident and two other crew members are still missing, presumed dead.

Besides providing practical and pastoral care to fishermen, AoS has also strongly condemned the growing problem of trafficking and exploitation in fishing.

The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, which coordinates the activities of AoS worldwide, has asked the charity's global network to renew their commitment to establish a significant presence in fishing ports and develop programmes to make fishers and their families an integral part of the local Churches' community.

In a report this month, The Financial Times reported that last year, 3% of forced labour victims came from the fishing industry, though the real numbers could be much higher. The paper said victims most often come from Eastern Europe, Ghana and the Philippines.    

According to the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report 2014, the sector employs more than 58 million people worldwide. More than 25% of the world's dietary protein is provided by fish and over 100 million metric tons of fish is consumed annually.

AoS' new schools resources are available to download for free at www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/resources-schools.

Each lesson follows a simple structure and includes clear objectives and learning outcomes. It has been designed around the national curriculum and gives students the opportunity to learn about fisheries and fishermen and how the Apostleship of the Sea is helping to support them worldwide.  

In the space of three days, Thai authorities in Takuapa district discovered more than 130 suspected victims of human trafficking; on October 11th, 53 men were discovered on a rubber plantation. Two days later, a group of 79 men was discovered in a jungle clearing. This is in addition to the 636 people discovered in January and a further 37 found in September. 

The two groups found in October were composed of Bangladeshis and Rohingya kidnapped in Bangladesh. There they were forcibly loaded into the hold of a fishing vessel and transported from Cox's Bazaar on the south coast to Takuapa district on Thailand's Andaman coast. In Thailand the victims were off-loaded, divided into groups and held in captivity in secret jungle camps. The boat on which they arrived was said to have carried at least 200 people, including women and children.

According to Chris Lewa of the Arakan Project, a Rohingya advocacy group, the voyage from the Bay of Bengal takes roughly five days but many were held on board for weeks before setting sail while brokers kidnapped enough victims to fill the boat. The practice of kidnapping victims, transporting them by sea to Thailand and Malaysia, and selling them into slavery is rampant; according to Lewa there "are always five to eight boats waiting in the Bay of Bengal. And the brokers are desperate to fill them."  

The men had allegedly been beaten both on the vessel and in the camps. They were given little food and water and survived in the jungle by eating leaves. Four of the victims required hospitalization when discovered by Thai local authorities acting on a tip-off. 

The areas where the men were discovered suggest the organized, well-established nature of the human trafficking operation; in one instance, a rudimentary bridge has even been built.  The size of the clearing in the jungle land indicates the significant numbers of people held while their brokers negotiated their sale into slavery.   

COERCED, DECEIVED, BOUND, DRUGGED, KIDNAPPED...

The circumstances of the individual kidnappings vary but what is common is the victims' trauma and suffering. 

One man, an electrician, recounted that he was kidnapped by a gang of men after being called to a house in Cox's Bazaar to do some repair work. He worries for his mother: "I feed her medicine every day. Since I was kidnapped, she will have had nobody to give her the medicine." 

Another man, a farmer, said he was trapped with four others when he went to fix a roof. His arms were bound behind his back. After nightfall, his captors took them first to a small boat, then a larger vessel. 

Absar Mia (C), 27 - "All I think about is how I can get home, how I can see my mother again, how I can see my little boys and girl again. That's why I'm crying."

A boy of 17, still a student, was kidnapped in a shop while topping up his telephone credit. "A man grabbed me and put his hand over my mouth. I ended up in the boat. My parents will be wondering where I am." 

An 18 year old, originally from northern Bangladesh, was seeking work in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. An elderly man offered him a job for around $6 a day. The two travelled to Cox's Bazaar to a small, remote house where the young man was bound and drugged. He woke up to find himself on a boat. At sea for seven or eight days, he was repeatedly beaten. 

DISCOVERED IN CAPTIVITY BEFORE BEING SOLD INTO SLAVERY

Fortunately, the boatpeople were discovered before their plight further worsened. It is said that other victims from the vessel had already been loaded onto trucks, allegedly bound for Malaysia, destined for enslavement on fishing trawlers. 

When discovered, each member of the initial group of 53 was wearing a wristband in one of four colors, thought to denote various buyers or final destination, suspected to be southern Thailand or Malaysia. 

REPATRIATION HAMPERED BY BUREAUCRACY

Both groups were taken into the custody of local authorities for their own protection, as it was feared that the police would jail the men as illegal migrants. 

It is alleged that senior government and police officials are resisting efforts to have the men classified as victims of trafficking, a status which accords them support, shelter and faster repatriation to Bangladesh. Despite these efforts, the initial 53 men have been classified as victims of trafficking. 

Thai and Bangladeshi authorities investigate veracity of every individual's claims before the classification as victim of trafficking is made. However, the investigative process is cumbersome and requires the coordinated efforts of various Thai and Bangladeshi ministries. Nationalities must first be confirmed, and the entire process can last for as many as three months, according to Ehteshamul Haque of the Bangladeshi embassy in Thailand. The embassy has sought permission from the Thai authorities to take the statements from the victims. These statements are sent to the Bangladeshi foreign ministry, which in turn passes them to the home ministry. The home ministry tasks the police in the victims' districts to verify the victims' identity claims. 

DISTRICT CHIEF DETERMINED TO STAMP OUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING ALONG THE COAST OF TAKUAPA

Manit Pianthiong, Takuapa District Chief, is credited with the discovery of the two groups in October. He is determined to put an end to the practice of human trafficking along the coast of Takuapa, with which he is very familiar, having lived in Takuapa for almost three decades. After making their grim discoveries, the local authorities continued searching islands in the vicinity for further victims. Mr Pianthiong fears that further victims were not rescued and have possibly already sold into slavery. 

ARRESTS MADE BUT SYSTEMIC RESPONSE NEEDED

Two Thai men were arrested and charged with human trafficking in connection with the group of 53 men. Their conviction could result in custodial sentences of up to ten years. However, there remains much to be done to combat the kidnap, human trafficking and sale into slavery of Bangladeshi and Rohingya victims. 

First, the gang leaders, for whom the police are looking, remain at large. It is the masterminds behind the elaborate operation who are, arguably, the most culpable and dangerous individuals. 

Second, there is a need for constant vigilance along the Andaman coast. Mr Pianthiong encourages the coastal fishing communities to alert him to indications that large numbers of people are being held in captivity. 

Third, the Bangladeshi government must reinforce awareness of the risk of kidnap by human trafficking gangs. It is vital that Bangladeshis exercise caution with respect to job offers which might serve as a cover for kidnap. The Bangladeshi government is aware of the problem of people being deceived or coerced onto boats; Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, minister for the welfare of Bangladeshis overseas, says that the government "[reaches] out to the homes of common people in remote areas through our local remote areas through our local representatives, but they do believe these brokers." 

Further, it is essential that the Thai authorities recognize the boatpeople as victims of trafficking in order to secure their repatriation, which in turn, should be expedited. Timely assistance from Bangladeshi authorities is vital in this regard. Obstructing recognition as victim of human trafficking is a miscarriage of justice, and those who are denied the status of trafficking victim could find themselves wrongly trapped in a Thai immigration prison for years or sold back into slavery. 

The root causes and forces driving such human trafficking must also be considered. One such force is the flight of Rohingya from Myanmar (Burma) to Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia, escaping persecution in a State which refuses to grant them citizenship. Desperately seeking work, they fall victim to gangs of human traffickers who exploit their tragic circumstances.

Also, the Thai authorities must ensure that there is a systematic framework in place to combat human trafficking. Further, there such a framework must address human trafficking perpetrated not only by private individuals but also by State entities. For instance, in 2009, it was discovered that the Thai Navy had towed boats filled with Rohingya out to sea where they were left to drift. This was believed to have resulted in the deaths of hundreds. Further, more recently, members of the Thai police and armed forces reportedly sold Rohingya found on Thai shores back into slavery. 

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has vowed to "prevent and supress human trafficking" since coming to power in a military coup in May 2014. However, less than a month after Prime Minister Chan-ocha seized power, the US State Department relegated Thailand to the lowest category in its annual Trafficking in Persons report which addresses "the nature and scope of trafficking in persons and the broad range of government actions to confront and eliminate it."   
 
Thailand recently failed to secure a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. This must serve as a message to the government that, if its wishes to exercise global influence in the domain of human rights, it must first address and rectify its own human rights record. Eliminating human trafficking on its Andaman coast must be a priority in this regard. 

Disclaimer

The content and detail within this case study has been obtained from open-source material and has been checked, as best as is possible, for accuracy by the authors at the time of writing. All quotes, pictures and diagrams have been acknowledged where able and any omissions or factual inaccuracies may be alerted by writing to: enquiries@humanrightsea.org. The opinions, perspectives and comments are those of the author(s).

Human Rights at Sea is delighted to welcome the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to the HRAS organisation and expanding network, making ISWAN the 43rd Supporting Entity to assist in the global development of the HRAS initiative.

The International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network is an organisation that promotes seafarers welfare worldwide and directly serves seafarers by providing a 24 hour helpline. ISWAN is the result of a merger between the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare (ICSW) and the International Seafarers Assistance Network (ISAN). ISWAN is a membership organisation with the International Shipping Federation, The International Transport Workers Federation and the International Christian Maritime Association as the core members.

HRAS Founder, David Hammond, said "The weight that ISWAN adds to the HRAS initiative and its developing maritime human rights work on behalf of those who are engaged in the maritime industry and who work in the maritime environment not always under the protections afforded through the likes of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, cannot be underestimated. The generous support that ISWAN will provide continues to strengthen the international network of welfare organisations whose focus remains on the seafarer, who often works under very difficult conditions at sea."

The HRAS aim is "to explicitly raise awareness, implementation and accountability for human rights protections throughout the maritime industry, especially where they are currently absent and being abused".

The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2014 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) were presented to Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF); Joseph J. Cox, President/CEO, Chamber of Shipping of America; and Frederick J. Harris, President of General Dynamics NASSCO and Bath Iron Works, an American shipbuilder. The maritime industry's most prestigious awards were presented at a gala industry dinner and dance held at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on November 7, 2014 - and MarEx was thrilled to be in attendance. Recognition was also given to American Seafarers for specific acts of bravery and heroism while at sea.

The Honorable Helen Delich Bentley and MarAd Administrator Paul "Chip" Jaenichen kicked off the awards by recognizing the crew of the M/V Cape Ray for destroying Syria's most dangerous chemical weapons at sea, along with the crew of Matson containership Manukai for their courageous rescue of three sailors during Hurricane Julio this year.

In announcing the AOTOS recipients, General Kenneth Wykle, USA (Ret.), Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee, said: "This year's recipients represent greatly diverse sectors of the maritime industry. Stephen Cotton oversees a significant labor group whose mission is the well-being and fair treatment of the world's seafarers. Joe Cox is well-regarded in international transportation circles and is greatly involved in safety issues. Fred Harris' company has designed and built innovative tonnage for America's sea-going fleet. We enjoyed a good turnout for these three gentlemen, including a large overseas attendance." General Wykle is also immediate past President of the National Defense Transportation Association, and was presented with an AOTOS Recognition award at this year's event.

Stephen Cotton has taken over the duties of General Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), an international association of more than 700 transportation-related unions from 150 countries. Mr. Cotton had served as the ITF's Maritime Coordinator until he was appointed Acting General Secretary in October 2012. He started at the London-based ITF in 1993, working mainly in the Seafarers Section as the Head of the Agreements Unit.  

Under Stephen's leadership, the ITF's Maritime sections made important achievements that would impact many in industry. He has expanded the ITF Inspectorate from 35 to a total of 124 inspectors and 26 other contacts. In 2013, across 52 countries, a total of 9,503 vessel inspections were carried out and $38,429,647 of owed wages was recovered for seafarers. The number of agreements has also increased from less than 2,000 to more than 12,000. Stephen has overseen major FOC policy changes.

Stephen spearheaded a new direction for the Seafarers Section through the International Bargaining Forum. This provides a space for discussion between the ITF and its member unions, and the maritime employers in the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG). It aims to improve seafarers' pay and conditions under IBF agreements through continuing dialogue with key industry players and as a result of strong mutual respect, challenging negotiations have resulted in favorable outcomes. Most recently, both parties have agreed on the need to support the growth of the global shipping market, as well as maintain sustainable and fair employment. As well, crucial to the ITF's Dockers' Section is the GNT Campaign. With the strength and solidarity of dockers across the globe, this campaign pushes Global Network Terminals into guaranteeing decent standards and to secure a fair deal for dockers and all port workers at every port and terminal in the world. The ITF has consistently worked alongside shipping organizations, the ILO and governments, for over a decade, to jointly create and shape the MLC, and is committed to monitoring and assisting its implementation and to persuading more countries to ratify the convention.

Joe Cox graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in an accelerated program finishing his final year with his classmates in one-half year graduating on February 10, 1967 to meet the need for officers on the Vietnam sealift. He sailed on the Vietnam sealift for two years and for several years as second and third mate to other parts of the world. When he came ashore, he worked for the Maritime Standards Office of the U. S. Department of Labor where he eventually became a Manager of the Cargo Gear Program. After eight years with the Department of Labor, he accepted a position at the American shipowners association, the Chamber of Shipping of America. He progressed through jobs as Marine Coordinator, Director of Marine Affairs, and Vice President and was elected President/CEO in 1997.

CSA is recognized as the definitive organization representing owners, operators and charterers of U.S. and foreign flag ocean-going vessels, before U.S. and international regulatory, legislative and administrative entities including the U.S. Congress, U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of State, Department of Justice, the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization. It provides a voice of the maritime industry operating in the U.S. to support sound public policy through legislative and regulatory initiatives to promote marine safety, maritime security, maritime personnel issues and environmentally responsible policies and operating practices.

Joe Cox has been Chairman of the Board of the National Cargo Bureau for two years during his ten years on its board and held various positions including chairman. His other affiliations have included International Cargo Gear Bureau, International President of the Propeller Club of the Unites States and President of the Marine Gas Hazards Control Program He received an MS from the University of Southern California in Safety Management.

Frederick J. Harris became president of General Dynamics NASSCO and a vice president of General Dynamics Corporation on January 1, 2006. For more than four decades, Harris has worked to foster innovation and realize excellence in shipbuilding. His extensive exposure to the maritime industry has provided him with a breadth of knowledge and a unique viewpoint in current initiatives facing the business. Mr. Harris began his shipbuilding career in 1973 as a senior engineer for Electric Boat's Trident ballistic missile submarine program. Harris' thorough knowledge of ship construction processes and design and build practices earned him a succession of promotions.

For his accomplishments as program manager of the VIRGINIA Class submarine design phase, Harris received the Maine Maritime Academy Outstanding Alumni Award for the Year 2000 and in 2002, received the annual William M. Kennedy Award from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. In 2003, he was included on the Maine Maritime Academy's Wall of Honor for his accomplishments in the marine field. He was the 2010 recipient of the Harold E. Saunders Award, given by the American Society of Naval Engineers, for his significant contributions to naval engineering. Harris is currently a Board Member of the National Academy of Sciences, Transportation Research Board, a Board Member of the Shipbuilder's Council of America, and Chairman of the American Delegation of JECKU, a worldwide shipbuilding organization.

He is frequently called upon to offer his perspective to revitalize the maritime industry and associated industrial base. A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy, Fred Harris sailed for several years as a U.S. Merchant Mariner, notably aboard the U.S. registered SS Trans globe, the most decorated American merchant ship of the Vietnam War. In 1972, he received a master's degree in business administration from Babson College, graduating with distinction. In 2010, Harris received an honorary doctorate degree in science from MMA.

Proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad for the U.S. merchant marine, seafarers of all nations, and U.S. government and military overseas. The recipients shared the evening with a group of American seafarers who were honored for acts of bravery at sea.

For AOTOS 2014, Michael Sacco, President of the Seafarers International Union, is Dinner Chairman. F. Anthony Naccarato of American Maritime Officers Service and John L. Degurse, Jr., Esquire, USS Legal Counsel, will be serving as National Committee Co-Chairmen. Other committee members and chairmanships will be announced soon.

USS continues to provide community services for the U.S. Merchant Marine, the American Armed Forces, and seafarers of the world. USS, a non-profit agency established in 1942, operates centers in six foreign ports in Europe, Asia, and Africa and in the Indian Ocean, and also provides seagoing libraries to American vessels through its affiliate, the American Merchant Marine Library Association.

One of AOS-USA's newest Student Mariner Members, James Earley  assisted with a special Veteran's Day observance at the Galveston Seafarers' Center.  

James, along with fellow cadet Franklin Orellana, spoke excitedly about being part of an observance to honor the Veterans who have served our country.

The procession to the sea wall, with Karen Parsons, AOS Galveston/Texas City Lay Ecclesial Minister, and Coordinator for AOS North America and the Caribbean.

AOS-USA salutes the Galveston Seafarers' Center and the Texas Maritime Academy Cadets for honoring our Merchant Marine Veterans and making their day special!

Eight crewmembers are missing after two cargo ships collided off Vietnam on Sunday. The Vietnam-flagged cargo ship Phuc Xuan 68 made contact with another cargo vessel, Nam VY 69, at 1:30 a.m., local time. The collision happened in the South China Sea, 15 miles southeast of Nha Trang, Vietnam during bad weather conditions.

According to IHS Maritime 360, the Phuc Xuan 68 - with 11 crewmen - took on water and subsequently sank. The other ship only sustained a breach in its bow and took on water in its cargo hold. None of its crewmembers were reported hurt.

The crew of Nam VY 69 was able to rescue three sailors out of the 11 of the Phuc Xuan 68, and then notified the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (Vietnam MRCC) of the incident.

Multiple agencies including the Vietnam MRCC, Nha Trang Port Authority and the Kahnh Hoa Province Headquarters of the Border Guard, and the naval coast guard dispatched rescue ships to the scene to search for the missing men. The search areas were expanded from Binh Thuan province to the north and to Vung Tau City to the south.

The three rescued men were handed over to the Vietnam MRCC. In the meantime, Nam VY 69 continued to search for the missing sailors for hours, before docking in Nha Trang Port for repairs.