Ministry urge action in struggle against crime of human trafficking
CHOU Bun Eng, secretary of state at the Ministry of Interior, urges forces and relevant authorities nationwide to heighten awareness about the perils of human trafficking and collaboratively combat this crime, which persists in various forms.
Bun Eng, who is also permanent vice-chair of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT), made the call during the body’s annual meeting, held to review its work of 2023 and set goals for 2024, as reported by the Siem Reap Provincial Administration on January 31.
She emphasised that human trafficking, especially through illegal border crossings, constitutes illicit activities with detrimental effects on the country.
“We discern a persistent occurrence of crime and the accompanying suffering of individuals. Vulnerabilities emerge particularly when people migrate abroad, engaging in illegal immigration in search of employment opportunities or companionship,” she said.
Conversely, in certain crimes, the victim may also transition into the role of perpetrator, such as in cases involving illegal border crossings during pregnancy and childbirth.
She also said that the intricate nature of human trafficking offences poses challenges for law enforcement analysis, hindering crackdown efforts and causing delays in convicting perpetrators.
Bun Eng called on local authorities to disseminate information widely, aiming to educate, advise and caution individuals against trusting the persuasive tactics of traffickers who often masquerade as employment brokers.
You Sophea, Siem Reap provincial deputy governor and head of the NCCT secretariat, underscored the transnational nature of human trafficking as a crime faced by every country.
“Human trafficking, deemed a form of modern slavery, exhibits a nuanced and intricate character intertwined with shifts in mindset, social psychology, scientific and technological progress and the dynamics of economics, social structures, politics, and national and international developments. Addressing this issue necessitates a collective commitment to devise effective measures for both prevention and law enforcement,” she said.
Sar Sokha, interior minister and chairman of the NCCT, pledged to combat human trafficking, deeming it a government priority to bolster human security, safety and harness the potential of human resources for comprehensive national development. He urges capital-provincial governors and border forces to fortify their sense of responsibility in roles assigned by the government, particularly in matters closely tied to human trafficking.
In the past year, the interior ministry’s report indicates that authorities intervened in and investigated 1,213 cases. Among these, 259 were instances of illegal forced labour, including 48 cases involving women from seven different nationalities.