Phnom Penh: The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking has revealed that more than 2,000 Cambodians have been rescued from human trafficking incidents abroad within the first half of the year. NEC’s Permanent Vice President who is also the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior Chou Bun Eng says that there is a total of 2,317 Cambodians repatriated back to the kingdom after being victimized by human traffickers.

She says, “Among the victims were 972 women from eight countries: China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos and India. Most of them are from Thailand involved in illegal work." She has added that they recorded 198 human trafficking cases. This is an increase of 135 compared to the same period last year with only 63 cases. Most of them are being transported to other countries illegally to work and also sexually exploited.

NEC’s Permanent Vice President has stressed that they have been cooperating well with relevant partners. The Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to cooperating with all relevant partners at the national and regional levels to eliminate all forms of human trafficking and exploitation in order to promote respect for human rights, dignity and social justice. Last year, Cambodia has rescued 1,574 Cambodian victims of human trafficking.