Civil society representatives from across Southeast Asia stand together in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the 6th ASEAN–EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights, calling for stronger protection of migrant fishers’ rights and action against forced labour. — Civil society groups from eight countries urge ASEAN and the EU to take stronger action against modern slavery and protect migrant fishers’ rights ahead of the 6th ASEAN–EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: BEBESEA)

🎯 The Main Takeaway

Ahead of the 6th ASEAN–EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights (Oct 15, Kuala Lumpur), a coalition of 20 civil society organizations from 8 countries called for decisive action to end modern slavery and protect migrant fishers’ rights in Southeast Asia’s fishing industry.

The Working Group on Solidarity for Migrant Fishers, endorsed by ASEAN Human Rights Commissioner Edmund Bon Tai Soon, warned that forced labour, trafficking, and abuse remain widespread in the region’s billion-dollar fisheries sector.

🔍 Why It’s on Our Radar

🌏 Southeast Asia’s fisheries power global food supply — but depend heavily on migrant labour under exploitative conditions.
⚖️ Calls align with new ASEAN Declaration on Migrant Fishers (2023) and EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (2024).
🚨 Modern slavery in seafood supply chains threatens both human rights and sustainability goals.

⚖️ What’s at Stake

👥 Equal protection — migrant fishers deserve the same labour rights, social security & union freedoms regardless of status.
🛡️ Accountability — governments urged to enforce ILO C-188 & the Non-Punishment Principle for trafficked victims.
💼 Corporate responsibility — civil society demands mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) and transparent seafood traceability.

Commercial fishing boats are fishing in the sea. — Migrant fishers remain vulnerable to **debt bondage & trafficking** in various flag fleets. (Pic: Pexels/Pok Rie)

📸 The Big Picture

The statement emerged from a workshop (Oct 6–7, Kuala Lumpur) involving labour rights experts, environmental advocates & ocean governance researchers — and follows the Sustainable Seafood Summit 2025 in Osaka, where activists and industry players discussed ethical sourcing.

The groups emphasize that ending forced labour is essential to ocean sustainability and economic justice for millions of Southeast Asian fishers.

❤️ A Call for Solidarity

Civil society networks from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK are urging governments to commit to real reform during the ASEAN–EU dialogues and upcoming ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF).

🌐 The Regional Stakes

⚓ Migrant fishers remain vulnerable to debt bondage & trafficking in various flag fleets.
🇪🇺 The EU’s new due diligence law can reshape seafood imports & corporate accountability.
🌊 ASEAN’s credibility on human rights at sea depends on how it enforces these commitments.

📰 Beyond the Headlines

🧭 Joint statement co-led by BEBESEA, HRWG, and Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI).
🌍 Backed by 35 representatives from 20 CSOs, bridging human rights, migration, and ocean governance.
🪙 Civil society sees fishers’ welfare as key to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the blue economy.

📰 Need More Angles?

BEBESEA Joint Statement of CSOs Working Group on The Solidarity For Migrant Fishers For The 6th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights

(QOB/ELS)

🌊 Civil society urges ASEAN & EU to end…