Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia steps up fight against human trafficking

Cambodia steps up fight against human trafficking

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Interior minister Sar Kheng. FB

Cambodia steps up fight against human trafficking

Authorities have to-date recorded 707 reports of human trafficking in all forms into a central log, which involved the detention of 120 suspects, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng told a January 20 meeting on foreigner employment.

Officials have made significant inroads in the investigations of 445 cases, involving 1,045 foreigners, leading to the closure of five businesses, he said, revealing that the 120 detainees were of four nationalities.

The minister confirmed that 229 of the cases had to be closed due to the vagueness of the information provided in the initial reports and subsequent updates.

He lauded authorities’ initiatives to combat people smuggling, forced labour and sex trafficking, including channels on social media platforms and hotlines such as those of the National Police or the General Department of Immigration.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director for monitoring at rights group LICADHO, expressed grave concern over the issue, reflecting on Cambodia’s notorious reputation for human trafficking, despite the high incidence on foreigner-on-foreigner cases.

“It’s necessary for the police to strengthen law enforcement, and especially root out corruption, increase the ability of officers to adapt to evolving crimes, as human trafficking increasingly goes online.

“Police need to work better regionally and globally to serve more effectively,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Brawl marrs football final as Indonesian take gold in seven goal thriller

    The Indonesian men's U22 men national football team were crowned champions of the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, defeating Thailand 5-2 in extra time on May 16 at Olympic National Stadium in Phnom Penh. The match was marred by an ugly incident that occured in the 91

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Candlelight Party disqualified from July general election

    The National Election Committee (NEC) has disqualified the Candlelight Party (CP) from contesting the upcoming general election, citing a lack of valid documentation. NEC spokesman Khorn Keomono said the CP failed to fulfil one of the three main requirements: including original documentation proving their registration

  • Thong Khon calls for orderly SEA Games closing ceremony

    Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism and permanent vice-president of the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC), calls on all people who have received tickets to the May 17 closing ceremony of the biennial multi-sports extravaganza at the Morodok Techo National Stadium to ensure that the event

  • 1.4 billion dollar Phnom Penh-Bavet expressway due in four years

    The Government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, has officially signed a public-private partnership agreement with a private company for the construction of a Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway project that will connect the capital to Svay Rieng province. The budget for the project is