The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) revealed evidence of human trafficking, labor abuse and the routine use of violence, including murder, in the Thai seafood industry, in a report launched Wednesday.

The report -- called "Sold to the Sea: Human Trafficking in Thailand’s Fishing Industry" -- questioned the country's progress in combating and preventing human trafficking and makes the case for the US state department to downgrade Thailand to its Tier 3, the lowest ranking possible.

In contrast to recent statements by the Thai government on its progress in addressing human trafficking, EJF’s investigations show it "clearly remains widespread."

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The report includes testimonies of Burmese workers taken this year, as young as 16, allegedly trafficked to Thailand and then forced on to fishing vessels by their traffickers.

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