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Cambodians Celebrate Anti-Human Trafficking Day

“I was painfully hurt by trafficking and burst out crying almost every day. I was sold like a cow or buffalo. Today, I live with a lot of sufferings that have never been eased. Why is the life of a prostitute so unfortunate?,” sang a child from COSECAM's Girls Speak Out group in front of government officials and a crowd of 1,500 people.

The performance was part of an event in Cambodia’s border city of Poipet on 12 December to celebrate the second anniversary of the anti-human trafficking day. Under the theme of “together we can combat human trafficking” the aim of the event was to raise public awareness in order to combat human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of women and children.

The event, which was jointly organized by Border Issues Group for Children (BIG C), International Organization of Migration (IOM), COSECAM, World Vision, HAGAR, INTERVIDA and LOVE 146, was presided over by H.E. Chou Bun Eng, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior and also the General Secretary of the National Committee to Lead the Suppression of Human Trafficking, Smuggling, Labor Exploitation and Sexual Exploitation in Women and Children. Also in attendance were the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Deputy Governor, Poipet Municipal Deputy Governor, Director of Department of Social Affairs and Security of Thailand's Srash Keo province, membership organizations of COSECAM and BIG C, as well as distinguished national and international guests.

Those participating in the event included not only high-ranking Cambodian and Thai government officials, but also school students, children, monks, nuns, people in the communities, local authorities, police and staff of international and national NGOs. The aim of this was to promote collaborative working efforts in combating human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of women and children along the Cambodian-Thai border.

The event started early morning when more than 900 school students and staff of local and international organizations gathered at Akeak market and marched to the Ovachin Tin Casino in Poipet city under the protection of local police. The marchers, led by traditional dancing known as Chhai Yam, held banners and slogans, and shouted out messages related to combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“Humans are not for sale” was one such slogan shouted by the marchers.

Other slogans included "Human trafficking is a criminal offense"; "Together, we combat child trafficking", and "Human trafficking violates human rights".

On reaching the designated meeting point, the girls from COSECAM’s Girls Speak Out group performed anti-human-trafficking related songs and drama, which received applause from the audience, including the presiding officials and guests. Through a song, one girl from COSECAM’s Girls Speak Out group called on the immediate help from the Cambodian Prime Minister to eliminate human trafficking in the country.

“Prime Minister, please help get rid of child trafficking, indecency and prostitution,” sang the girl.

H.E. Chou Bung Eng, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior and General Secretary of the National Committee to Lead the Suppression of Human Trafficking, Smuggling, Labor Exploitation and Sexual Exploitation in Women and Children, told the crowd that the Royal Government was strongly committed to combating human trafficking.

She went on to say, “Human trafficking seriously violates human rights and is an unforgivable crime which we are combating for the sake of the Cambodian people’s happiness, safety and prosperity. Humans are not objects for sale. We are not animals; we are not objects, and we are not products for sale.”

H.E. Chou Bun Eng also said that although the government had put laws, policies and mechanisms in place to combat human trafficking, the involvement of institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sector businesses, and the general public plays a big part in fighting human trafficking.

“It needs participation; it needs cooperation; it needs support from the public in order to eliminate this act. Therefore, I would like to use this forum to call on provincial authorities and civil servants in Banteay Meanchey and especially in the provinces along the border, as well as civil society organizations, both local and international, schools and various entertainment establishments, to participate in combating human trafficking in order to protect our people, especially our children who are susceptible to human trafficking, labor or sexual exploitation,” she said.

“This problem plays a serious havoc to human resources and other national development resources,” she said.

To further raise awareness about human trafficking issues, a concert was held in the evening along with a question and answer session related to human trafficking. This was attended by local residents.

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