Myanmar Military Courts Hand Life Sentences in Human Trafficking Scandal
Myanmar military courts have sentenced several individuals, including Chinese nationals, to life imprisonment for human trafficking offenses. The offenses involved sex video distribution and trafficking women into forced marriages in China. The trials highlight the pervasive issue of trafficking linked to Myanmar's ongoing civil conflicts.
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In a significant crackdown, Myanmar military courts have handed life sentences to 12 individuals, among them five Chinese nationals, for various human trafficking offenses. State media announced these sentences, which result from activities including the online distribution of sex videos and the trafficking of Myanmar women into forced marriages in China.
The Myanma Alinn newspaper detailed cases such as that of two Chinese nationals, Lin Te and Wang Xiaofeng, sentenced on July 29 by a military court in Yangon. They were found guilty of producing and distributing sex videos under Myanmar's Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law. Additionally, a separate case saw a woman and three other Chinese nationals convicted of planning to transport Myanmar women into forced marriages.
These sentences underline the persistent human trafficking problem exacerbated by Myanmar's internal conflicts. A 2018 report highlighted that 21,000 women and girls were trafficked from northern Myanmar to China between 2013 and 2017. Despite a decline during the pandemic, cases are resurging as people flee for work amidst conflict.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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