Phnom Post-Feb 8
Thailand is setting up two special tribunals to deal with its large number of illegal fishing cases, many of which involve foreign migrant workers trafficked into the industry, including ones from Cambodia.
Papop Siamham, coordinator of the Human Rights and Development Foundation in Thailand, said two Bangkok-based tribunals would deal with cases that took place after February 1.
“The tribunal would help the court of first instance to make the judgment of fishing cases faster than before,” he said, adding that the start date remained uncertain.
Daniel Murphy, a labor rights consultant, said in an email that the tribunals were most likely set up to deal with what he said was the largest number of such cases in Asia.
It remains to be seen whether the courts will improve the lives of those working on the boats. “I only wish we could see similar levels of commitment with regards to enforcement of Thai labor regulations,” Murphy said.
