WUNRN
CAMBODIA
- Following Passing of a New Law, Cambodia Takes Steps Forward in Ending Human
Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
Phnom
Penh (Agenzia Fides) - They are among the most tragic social problems in
Cambodia: human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and they represent two
authentic plagues on the society of this tiny south-eastern Asian country. They
are situations that have been tolerated for too long and that have created a
sort of “parallel economy,” administrated by criminals and trafficking groups
with exterior contacts.
The Cambodian Parliament has finally presented and unanimously approved a new
law to fight human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The prior legislation,
of 1966, held only 10 articles and was inadequate in its preventative measures,
as well as in its punishments and allowed for free room and mobility for
criminal organisations.
The new law, which has been in question since December 2007, consists of 52
articles to be applied more rigorously in cases of kidnapping for trafficking
or sexual exploitation of women and minors, with punishments of up to 20 years
in prison and heavy fines.
“This law is a great step forward towards global reform in our country’s
judicial system,” commented Ang Vong Vattana, Justice Minister of Cambodia,
widening horizons and noting that the entire legislative system in Cambodia is
in urgent need of updating. The new law, the Minister promised, will be
scrupulously observed.
According to groups like UNICEF and other international organisations, Cambodian
minors and women are often taken to other countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle
East, and Europe, where they are made slaves, or become victims of sexual abuse
or forced marriages, or organ trafficking. The increase of people and marketing
makes it easier for traffickers to smuggle children into other countries,
increasing the number of places of sexual tourism.
Cambodia,
international organisations say, is one of the most plagued countries, in terms
of child trafficking within the prostitution world. The percentile of AIDS
victims in the country is extremely high: over half of the children who have
been exploited have been tested positive. 35% of Cambodian prostitutes are
minors and 43% of these, are infected with the AIDS virus. The cause for the situation
is almost always poverty. Oftentimes, their own families are the ones who sell
the children, in hopes of offering them a better future. This plague is also
perpetuated due to the complications and conveniences that exist on various
levels, given the corruption in the public systems.
The newly approved law shows the nation’s desire to turn things around and to
fight strongly against the practices of human trafficking and sexual
exploitation.
================================================================
To leave the list, send your request by email to: wunrn_listserve-request@lists.wunrn.com.
Thank you.