Phnom Penh: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior has flagged the remaining worrying cross-border crimes victimising Cambodia with human trafficking, urging further counter efforts. H.E. Aphi Santepundit Sar Sokha, who is also the Chair of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT), voiced the call when presiding over an event at the ministry on Mar. 27 to publicise the national report on combatting human trafficking in 2024 and set out a work plan to better address the crimes.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Cambodia continued to be threatened by cross-border crimes, including human and drug trafficking and online scams, causing physical, mental, financial, and sexual harm to the innocents, young and old, men and women, said the Deputy Prime Minister. He added that Cambodia’s pertinent authorities have been working very hard to take necessary counteractions in good collaboration with embassies and representative offices of related countries. Meanwhile, Cambodia will need to work harder to overcome the crimes and protect both Cambodians and foreigners in the country.

The report shared by H.E. Ms. Chou Bun Eng, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior and Permanent Vice-Chairwoman of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking, indicated that in 2024 Cambodia intervened in 197 cases (about 20 percent increase compared with 2023) of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The authorities helped 523 victims and arrested 273 suspects, including 30 foreigners, and they are being sent to court. Noticeably, Cambodia helped 230 minor victims (roughly 44 percent increase compared to the previous year) from cases of child trafficking or sexual exploitation.