Email this page

Government Laws

Legislation against trafficking in children for sexual purposes

The Penal Code of Burma contains several statutes on the kidnapping and abduction of human beings. It is an offence to kidnap a minor under sixteen years of age, from his or her legal guardians or from the country. The protection awarded to females is more extensive than the protection awarded to males. It is prohibited to kidnap or abduct women for the purpose of forcing or seducing them to engage in illicit intercourse. The offence of procurement only applies to female minors. Procurement prohibits inducement of a female minor to go to a place or to perform any act that will result in the girl being forced or seduced to engage in illicit sexual intercourse. For the purpose of the law illicit intercourse is defined as sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. It is a specific offence to import a girl under 21 years of age for the purpose of engaging in illicit intercourse in Burma. With regard to boys there are no corresponding statutes. Some provisions that prohibit kidnapping and abduction for the purpose of unlawful labor or illegal confinement, may instead apply when the trafficked person is a boy. Finally, it is a an offence to buy or sell or otherwise dispose of or obtain a minor for the purpose of prostitution or some other unlawful or immoral act, or when knowing that it is likely that the minor will be forced or seduced to commit such an act. Penalties for above-mentioned offences range between a fine and imprisonment for up to ten years.