Burma Human Rights Network’s report: “We also have dreams” A 60-year-old man told BHRN, “Many people come to the block and claim to take people to Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, etc..., and ask for money from our people saying they are working to take people abroad. When we find this matter, we solve it by prohibiting our people [from coordinating trafficking], but they( the traffickers) endanger our people by taking when we don’t see. Aside from trafficking, there are constant reports of kidnappings throughout the camps. Some of these kidnappings are ransom schemes by local criminal gangs, while in other cases women and girls kidnapped and forced into sexual slavery at brothels, though BHRN was unable to verify this information. One of the most well known trends of kidnapping is related to conflicts with militant groups, particularly ARSA, who have kidnapped individuals perceived as enemies. Refugees have also told BHRN that ARSA has kidnapped young men with particular skill sets they wanted to recruit, as a form of forced conscription. Refugees are understandably very apprehensive to talk about these particular kidnappings for fear that they may be kidnapped or harmed themselves. The lack of viable livelihood options for refugees has made trafficking an attractive option, or at least one that they see as a possible way to escape. Without any plan for repatriation to Burma and no process to repatriate refugees in a third country many will continue to feel as though there is no escape from their situation without drastic action. www.bhrn.org.uk 38