UCA News
Contribute

Lao women trafficked into China under false pretenses

Teenage girls and unmarried women from ethnic minority communities are particularly at risk of falling victim to traffickers
Lao women trafficked into China under false pretenses

A young Lao woman has disappeared without trace after visiting capital Vientiane (above). Her mother believes she has been trafficked to China. (Photo: YouTube)

Published: May 26, 2021 09:41 AM GMT
Updated: May 26, 2021 09:43 AM GMT

The Covid-19 pandemic may have shut down international borders across Southeast Asia, yet that hasn’t stopped human traffickers in countries such as Laos.

Young women from disadvantaged backgrounds in the impoverished communist nation of 7 million continue to be trafficked into China, where they are forced into sex work or marrying local men, according to rights groups and media reports.

In one of the latest cases, a 20-year-old woman, who left her village for Vientiane, the capital, in January and seems to have disappeared without a trace more than two months ago, is believed by her family to have been trafficked to China.

“I haven’t been able to contact my daughter for more than two months now,” the young woman’s mother told Radio Free Asia.

“Whenever I called, a Chinese man answered the phone, and now her mobile phone has been completely shut down. I believe she has been sold or trafficked to China.”

Click here to read the full article

 

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia