• Society

Speed Up Human Trafficking Fight: Sar Kheng

• By Teng Yalirozy
• March 24, 2023 5:27 PM

PHNOM PENH – Interior Minister Sar Kheng has repeated his call for relentless work to curb human trafficking in all forms, warning businesses not to cover up illegal activities.

He said human trafficking mostly occurs at Sihanoukville, a hotspot of casinos and a shabby tourist destination. It was concerning that the criminals may seek refuge in other provinces.

Most of the suspects and victims were foreigners, making Cambodia seem like a place where it is easy to carry out human trafficking, he said.

“Cambodia is the victim of human trafficking.  But we have worked hard to decrease the human trafficking cases,” he said on March 23 during the event of the National Report on Combating Human Trafficking in 2022 and Work Orientation in 2023 of the National Committee on Counter-Trafficking (NCCT).

He said human trafficking was still a concern that requires regular attention to rescuing the victims, arresting the perpetrators, and shutting down businesses related to human trafficking.

“I repeatedly say that we should not be too proud of the result,” Kheng said.

“We must continue to work hard and strengthen the work to make sure the culprits are legally held accountable and the victims are rescued.”

He encouraged investment and business ventures not to be a shield and cover for illegal activities by taking refuge under a legitimate business label.

“We encourage investment and business, but not the business that covers up illegal activities, human trafficking, and human rights abuses.”

He requested the NCCT to compile all information related to human trafficking, including information issued by the US State Department, to find all appropriate and timely ways to respond to this issue.

In 2022, the police cracked down on 166 cases, down on 2021 when there were 359 cases, and 202 suspects were sent to court.

Of those charged, 33 were foreigners, according to the permanent vice-chair of the NCCT, Chou Bun Eng.

Authorities rescued 358 victims, including 265 women. They were later handed over to the Department of Social Affairs and families.

In 2022 there were 130 cases, an increase of six cases, with 149 suspects arrested, including 10 minors and 10 foreigners of three nationalities.

A total of 225 victims were rescued. Among them, 124 victims were under 15, 31 were between 15 and 17, and 70 were over 18.

Thirty-eight rescued victims were sent to the Department of Social Affair and 177 were sent back to their families.

Chou Bun Eng said the NCCT’s operational plan to tackle human trafficking from August-November, 2022, found 871 foreigners from 12 countries. Of these, 125 were involved with smuggling and human trafficking and 80 were arrested and sent to court.