GENEVA / BANGKOK – United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, will begin an official visit to Thailand from 8 to 19 August to examine the impact of anti-trafficking measures in the country. “During my mission, I wish to reach out to a wide range of stakeholders and trafficked persons themselves, so that their voices are heard and can be considered in the national laws, policies and measures related to trafficking in persons,” the Special Rapporteur said.

“I look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with the Government to discuss progress and remaining challenges in the fight against trafficking in persons,” she noted. Ms. Ezeilo is an independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to advocate the prevention of trafficking in persons in all its forms and the adoption of measures to uphold and protect the human rights of victims of trafficking in persons.

The Special Rapporteur will visit Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Mae Sot, Samut Sakhon and Songkhla, where she will meet with representatives of the Government and the judiciary, members of international and civil society organizations working on the fight against trafficking in persons and trafficked persons themselves.

At the end of her mission, Ms. Ezeilo will hold a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 11:00 on 19 August 2011.