The government also frequently used article 360(A), the procurement statute that criminalizes obtaining a person to become a prostitute, to prosecute sex trafficking cases. There were ongoing allegations police and other officials accepted bribes to permit brothels to operate; some of the brothels exploited trafficking victims. The government reported identifying 23 trafficking victims, compared with 30 victims identified in 2015. During the reporting period, the shelters served 3,552 migrant workers; authorities did not report how many were trafficking victims. Police reportedly accept bribes to permit brothels to operate, some of which exploit trafficking victims.

Source: Sunday Times June 29, 2017 09:11 UTC