KhmerTimes-Aug 12, 2024
Over 100 cases of human trafficking and sexual exploitation were dealt with by National Police under the Ministry of Interior and the Military Police in the first six months this year, which is an increase of 16.34% compared with the same period last year, according to a report from the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) recently. According to the report, in the first six months this year the National Police and Military Police investigated and took action on a total of 104 cases of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, an increase of 17 cases or equivalent to 16.34% compared to the same period in 2023. It said that during the operations police arrested 134 suspects and sent them to court while rescuing 290 victims. Chou Bun Eng, permanent Vice-Chairwoman of the NCCT, said that among the 104 cases there were 22 cases of human trafficking representing an increase of 12 cases over the start of 2023. Authorities arrested 34 suspects connected to these cases. There were 82 cases of sexual exploitation investigated – an increase of 5 cases – with 100 suspects arrested as well. Bun Eng said that through her experience performing this work, especially through the identification of victims, most of the cases of human trafficking involved crimes like fraud, labor disputes or illegal work, illegal immigration or in some cases false claims of victimization by people who wished to escape the consequences of Cambodia’s immigration laws. On August 1, the government launched a strategic plan to combat all forms of human trafficking over the next five years. The National Strategic Plan for Combatting Human Trafficking (2024-2028) is a road map and a reference document for all ministries and institutions that are members of the NCCT at the national and sub-national levels. Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501539741/police-increasing-pressure-on-intl-human-trafficking-gangs/
