Minister of Interior Sar Kheng advised the inter-ministerial working group and institutions which are members of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking of Cambodia (NCCT) monitor the dissemination of all information regarding human trafficking so that they can take timely precautionary measures.
The remarks came as he chaired an inter-ministerial meeting with ministries and institutions that are members of the NCCT on August 19 at the Ministry of Interior.
The meeting brought together the Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Samheng; Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation Vong Soth; Minister of Women’s Affairs Ing Kuntha Phavi; the Ministry of Interior's secretary of state and permanent vice-chair of the NCCT Chou Bun Eng; National Police Chief Neth Savoeun and other relevant senior officials.
At the meeting, Sar Kheng highlighted some important points related to the fight against human trafficking in Cambodia as well as regionally and internationally.
He also mentioned the importance of the relationship between Cambodia and the US in the fight against human trafficking and advised the attendees to monitor every piece of information that may be related to human trafficking so that they can take measures to prevent and suppress problems as they arise.
“Although we have achieved many good results, we are confronted with several other challenges we must continue to address together,” he added.
Chou Bun Eng said that in the first half of 2022, national and sub-national institutions, authorities and the relevant departments had cooperated with partner organisations to combat human trafficking, sexual exploitation and ensure safe migration.
Over 2,300,000 people, primarily migrant workers, have benefited as a result of the government’s work – an increase of 300,000 people compared to 2021, she said.
She added that in the first half of 2022, the police had investigated and cracked down on 74 cases of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. They arrested 83 people suspected of human trafficking and sent them to the courts, including 7 minors. There were 12 foreigners of four different nationalities suspected of human trafficking in that count and the police rescued 156 victims, including 106 females.
