March 28, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Enforcement action against human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Cambodia increased in 2024, with authorities cracking down on a total of 197 cases, up by 33 from the previous year. The number of foreign offenders deported from Cambodia surged by more than double.
Chou Bun Eng, permanent vice-chair of the National Committee for Countering Human Trafficking, presented the 2024 annual report on March 27.
The report revealed that authorities investigated 197 cases of human trafficking, arresting 273 suspects and sending them to court. This marked an increase of 33 cases from the 164 recorded in 2023 and a rise of 79 suspects from the 194 charged the previous year.
In 2024, Cambodian authorities also addressed 922 cases which resulted in the detention and deportation of 5,852 individuals, up from the 512 cases and 2,159 reported in 2023.
Among the deportees, 2,695 were Chinese nationals, a rise of more than 100 per cent from the 1,011 returned to China in 2023. The Chinese figures topped the 1,198 Vietnamese and 861 Indonesians who were also sent home.
Minister of Interior Sar Sokha, who serves as chair of the human-trafficking committee, noted that Cambodia is threatened by cross-border crimes, including human trafficking, drug trafficking and technology-based scams.
He warned that in addition to Cambodian citizens falling victim to trafficking abroad — such as in the maritime fishing industry — people from inside and outside the region have flowed into the Kingdom, both legally and illegally, establishing covert bases to commit crimes related to tech-based scams and associated offenses. Among those entering are both perpetrators and victims.
He emphasised that Cambodia is collaborating with the embassies, representatives and missions of all relevant countries to address any issues concerning their citizens who may be in Cambodia, while also arresting suspects and sending them to court.