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Ambassador Rodley listens as APLE Cambodia Country Director Seila Samleang discuss APLE’s work with journalists.
Ambassador visits anti-trafficking organizations in Sihanoukville
Sihanouk Ville
July 20 - 22, 2009
Ambassador Carol A. Rodley voiced concerns about human trafficking during her visit to Sihanoukville from July 20 to 22. Located on Cambodia’s southwestern coast, the beautiful beaches of Sihanoukville host a number of domestic and international tourists. Unfortunately, the beachside paradise has become increasingly dangerous for local children and youths as many of them are caught in the cycle of poverty and human trafficking.
The Ambassador met with Sbong Sarath, the governor of Preah Sihanouk Province, and toured a number of non-profit anti-trafficking organizations in Sihanoukville to voice her concerns about human trafficking and reports that “parents voluntarily sell their children to abusers in exchange for money from pedophiles.”
In her meeting with the governor, Ambassador Rodley urged the provincial government to increase action and “trafficking prevention efforts aimed at families.”
Anti-human trafficking efforts at the policy level have significantly improved, however, the Ambassador noted. “In Sihanoukville, there is a strong focus on cases against Western offenders, and the courts did convict some foreign pedophiles last year. The U.S. Government applauds these efforts to crackdown on child sex trafficking,” Ambassador Rodley said.
She assured Governor Sarath of the United States’ commitment to a partnership with Cambodia dedicated to combating the global problem of trafficking in persons. “We welcome the opportunity to work together and assist the Royal Government of Cambodia and we look forward to a continuing positive relationship to eradicate human trafficking in Cambodia,” said the Ambassador.
Ambassador Rodley’s trip in Sihanoukville also included meetings with non-governmental organizations such as the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE), and M’Lop Tapang.
During her visit to ADHOC, an organization that assists the public with issues related to land rights, domestic violence, and sexual assault, the Ambassador met with Provincial Coordinator Cheap Sotheary and ADHOC staff. She was briefed on key issues affecting human rights such as unresolved land disputes in the province.
The Ambassador also received a briefing and a tour from APLE Cambodia Country Director Seila Samleang and APLE coordinators on their efforts to protect children in Sihanoukville from all forms of sexual abuse. APLE concentrates on identifying Western pedophiles and preventing their continued abuse of children through undercover monitoring operations. Working with local law enforcement, APLE assists in freeing sexually exploited children and provides counseling, social rehabilitation, and legal assistance to child victims and their families.
M’Lop Tapang is a recent recipient of a $70,000 two-year grant from the U.S. Government to support their work with the ChildSafe program. The ChildSafe program trains a network of tour operators and hospitality owners and employees how to spot signs of child abuse and/or trafficking and report it to the police Sihanoukville. At M’Lop Tapang, the Ambassador was received by Margaret Eno, the program coordinator, and was briefed on the organization’s activities, centers, and work. The organization serves over 1,000 street children and workers weekly through its 11 centers, which includes a main day center, two overnight centers for migrant children, two vocational training centers, a covered arts and sports area in the center of Sihanoukville, and two community shelters in the slums.
One 17-year-old Sihanoukville native said that she and her brother came to the center five years ago. Since then, they have benefitted greatly from being at the center. “I have made friends and I’ve learned a lot from the center. The center taught me more about life.”
She is currently enrolled in school and dreams of becoming an English-Khmer language translator one day. “I want to work at this center in order to help the students here. I love playing with the children here and want to do all I can to help.”
When asked what advice she had to give to street children and workers around the world, she said, “Be good children and become good citizens.” When asked what advice she had to give to youths in general, she said, “You must not discriminate against street children and workers, they deserved to be played with as well.”
The Ambassador’s visit to M’Lop Tapang was complimented by a short “show” performed by children at the center. The performance included traditional Apsara dance and acrobatics.
In addition to her anti-trafficking visits, Ambassador Rodley also toured the Angkor Brewery and met with officials from the U.S. and Cambodian navies when she visited a U.S. Navy Ship docked at the Ream Naval base.
To read more on the 2009 Trafficking In Persons report, click here.
