Fishing for Justice: Legal Exclusions for Trafficked Fishers in Southeast Asia

Keywords: Anti-Human Trafficking, Migrant Fishers, Justice, Legal Geographies, Southeast Asia
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 59

Abstract

Critical geographical literature on human trafficking has recently examined some of the spatial strategies of exclusion adopted by states to deflect victim identification. Drawing on current research with trafficked fishing crew in Southeast Asia, this paper hopes to extend this body of work in two ways. , First, we draw attention to justice processes in anti-trafficking responses, suggesting that these represent a further arena through which to examine questions around the interstices between governance and the perpetuation of the vulnerability of trafficked persons. Second, we examine anti-trafficking responses in the countries of origin of victims, rather than in destination states, which is the focus on most extant work. We advance the argument that spatialities of counter-trafficking justice responses can significantly (re)produce vulnerabilities of victims who are already ostensibly identified and supported. The paper examines the legal proceedings (including police investigation and trial) as a critical site through which the reproduction of vulnerability occurs. We draw on data from a current study of legal proceedings in Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia, including interviews with key informant stakeholders and victims to make our arguments.