ASEAN Regional Dialogue Examines Human Rights Responses to Scam Compounds and Forced Criminality

Bangkok, 14 May 2026 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Bhanubhatra Jittiang, Representative of Thailand to AICHR, convened the “Regional Dialogue on the Nexus between Transnational Crime and Human Rights: Exploring Consular Assistance for Victims of Trafficking and Forced Criminality from Scam Compounds in ASEAN” in Bangkok on 13–14 May 2026 to examine the growing nexus between transnational organised crime and human rights, with a particular focus on trafficking in persons and forced criminality linked to online scam compounds in Southeast Asia.

The Regional Dialogue brought together 100 representatives from ASEAN Member States, relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, including those working on transnational crime and law enforcement, National Human Rights Institutions, embassies, international organisations, civil society organisations, and subject matter experts. The initiative was led by AICHR Thailand in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Australian Human Rights Commission, and the Australian Government.

The Dialogue served as a platform for participants to exchange experiences, identify operational and policy challenges, and share good practices related to victim identification, protection, consular assistance, repatriation, reintegration, and inter-agency coordination. Discussions focused on the human rights implications of scam compounds and forced criminality, including the application of the non-punishment principle, victim-centred approaches to protection and remedies, and strengthening regional cooperation to disrupt scam ecosystems and support victims and survivors across ASEAN.

To complement the policy discussions, participants undertook site visits to the Anti-Cyber Scam Center of the Royal Thai Police and the Pathumthani Welfare Protection Center for Victims of Trafficking in Persons. The visits provided practical insights into Thailand’s efforts to combat cyber-enabled crime, support victims of trafficking and forced criminality, and strengthen coordination among relevant agencies.

The Dialogue underscored the importance of victim-centred, human rights-based, and cross-sectoral approaches in addressing transnational organised crime and trafficking linked to scam compounds. Participants highlighted the need for stronger regional coordination, information-sharing, and cooperation among governments, law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions, international organisations, and civil society to effectively respond to emerging forms of exploitation and protect affected individuals.