Human trafficking

A GROUP of civil society representatives was scheduled to depart for Thailand yesterday in an attempt to expedite the repatriation of six Cambodian women who were allegedly trafficked to Thailand and forced to work as prostitutes.

The six victims, including one minor, were rescued in an August 5 raid on a karaoke parlour in Thailand’s Trat province and placed in a Thai shelter to await the trial of two people suspected of operating the establishment.

Ly Sotheary, executive director of the Koh Kong-based NGO Healthcare Centre for Children, said on Monday that the two suspects were arrested and remanded in custody after the raid, but have not yet been charged. She said that she and two co-workers would spend three days in Thailand.

“We will have discussions with partner organisations to urge police to finish the investigation on the suspects soon so that the court can hold the trial

swiftly and the victims can return to Cambodia,” she said.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said consular officials were also investigating the case.