CEDAW/C/MMR/CO/4-5 Trafficking and exploitation of prostitution 28. The Committee commends the State party on the adoption of a five-year national plan of action to combat trafficking in persons, covering the period 2012 2016, and the establishment of an anti-trafficking in persons division in 2013. The Committee notes that the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law (2005) and the Suppression of Prostitution Act (1949) are currently under review. It also welcomes efforts by the State party to combat trafficking by signing memorandums of understanding with China and Thailand. The Committee notes with concern, however, that the State party remains a source country for trafficking in persons, in particular women and girls, for purposes of sexual and labour exploitation. The Committee is particularly concerned: (a) That women and girls continue to be trafficked to neighbouring and other countries for sexual and labour exploitation; (b) That limited progress has been made to address the root causes of trafficking, including poverty, illiteracy and domestic violence; (c) persons; That there is no national referral mechanism to address trafficking in (d) That data on the exploitation of prostitution are not available, notwithstanding reports that women who engage in prostitution face violence and exploitation, including at the hands of the police. 29. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Expedite the review of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law (2005) and ensure that new anti-trafficking legislation is comprehensive and in line with international norms and standards; (b) Intensify efforts to address the root causes of trafficking in women and girls and ensure the rehabilitation and social integration of victims, including by providing them with access to shelters, legal, medical and psychosocial assistance; (c) Establish a national referral mechanism and intensify awarenessraising efforts aimed at promoting the reporting of trafficking crimes, the early detection of women and girls who are victims of trafficking and their referral to appropriate services; (d) Intensify efforts aimed at bilateral, regional and international cooperation to prevent trafficking, including by exchanging information with other countries in the region and harmonizing legal procedures to prosecute traffickers, in particular with neighbouring States and other relevant States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; (e) Provide information in the next periodic report on the exploitation of prostitution, exit programmes for women in prostitution and measures taken to combat violence against them. 16-12871 9/17