Problems of Protecting Children Witnesses in Human Trafficking Cases

Abstract

This research consists purposes were 1. to study the concepts, theories, and principles related to the protection of child witnesses, including measures to conceal the names, surnames, and addresses of witnesses, and special measures in human trafficking cases. 2. to compare the measures for protecting child witnesses, including measures to conceal the names, surnames, and addresses of witnesses and special measures in human trafficking cases, in Thailand, the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the United Kingdom 3. to study the problems, principles, and measures for protecting child witnesses in human trafficking cases in Thailand and 4. to propose suitable recommendations for solving problems related to the protection of child witnesses in human trafficking cases in Thailand. This research is qualitative research is a qualitative research by collecting data from related documents such as thesis books textbooks academic articles research works, legal texts, and internet-based information from both Thailand and abroad related to the protection of child witnesses, including measures to conceal the names, surnames, and addresses of witnesses, and other special measures in human trafficking cases. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis. The research findings indicate were 1. Concepts, theories, and principles related to the protection of child witnesses in human trafficking cases are based on human rights principles, focusing on children's right to protection from abuse, including protection in the justice process 2) The measures for protecting child witnesses in human trafficking cases in Thailand, when compared to other countries, still have several limitations. 3. The principles and measures for protecting child witnesses, including measures to conceal the names, surnames, and addresses of witnesses, and other measures in human trafficking cases in Thailand, still have limitations. These include insufficient protection rights during the investigation process for human trafficking offenses and limitations related to the testimony of child witnesses during the evidence collection process, which must be done publicly in front of the defendant, leading to a lack of safety for the children and 4) It is proposed to amend the Criminal Procedure Code, Section 133 bis, the Human Trafficking Procedure Act B.E. 2559 (2016), the Witness Protection Act in Criminal Cases B.E. 2546 (2003), Section 36, and the Court Police Officer Act B.E. 2562 (2019), Section 5, to be more comprehensive and appropriate.