CAMBODIA: 2009 3RD QUARTER REPORT ON TRAFFICKING IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 PHNOM PENH 000874 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, G/TIP, DRL USAID FOR ASIA BUREAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL KWMN KTIP SOCI CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA: 2009 3RD QUARTER REPORT ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REF: A) 08 PHNOM PENH 702 B)08 PHNOM PENH 628 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: During the third quarter of 2009, Cambodian police arrested five persons on human trafficking charges and 12 persons on procurement of prostitution charges in connection with cases involving minor victims. Police reported arresting eight foreign pedophiles and rescuing 14 victims in connection with those cases. During the same period, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted two foreign pedophiles and two Cambodian nationals. Police rescued 42 victims of trafficking and reported that they were returned to their families or were referred to NGO victim shelters. ¶2. (SBU) On September 25, The Prime Minister signed a sub decree combining the National Task Force with the High-Level Working Group, forming a single policy-making entity called the National Committee on Suppression of Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Labor and Sexual Exploitation. The new committee is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, with deputy chairmanships for the Minister of Women's Affairs, Minister of Social Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Labor and Vocational Training (MOLVT). The new 18-member committee has participation from all ministries. END SUMMARY. Improving Implementation of the 2008 TIP Law -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) conducted a series of training courses for district police, district governors, and provincial government officials on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking. The six workshops, taught by eight RGC officials and three consultants from the UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP),the International Organization for Migration (IOM),and the International Labor Organization (ILO),were held in Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Svay Rieng, Banteay Meanchey, and Prey Veng Provinces and focused on the 2008 TIP law and discussions of prosecution, protection, prevention, and policy. Approximately 50-60 participants attended each workshop, and the courses were supported financially UNIAP. Police Activity - Human Trafficking Arrests -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On August 8, Battambang provincial police arrested 30-year-old Seng Moun, female, for the attempted trafficking of a three-year-old female victim to Thailand. Police reported that the perpetrator lived in the victim's village, and intended to sell the victim in Thailand for one million Riel ($250 USD). Police arrested the perpetrator in Battambang province and rescued the victim. Police reported that the perpetrator was sent to court and is currently in pre-trial detention and the victim was returned to her family. ¶5. (SBU) On August 20, police from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection unit (AHTJP) arrested 35-year-old Ngeth Nath, male, for trafficking two adult victims to Thailand to work on a fishing boat. Police arrested the perpetrator and rescued the victims in Koh Kong province. Police reported that the perpetrator was sent to court and is currently in pre-trial detention and the victims returned to their families. ¶6. (SBU) On August 22, police from AHTJP arrested 58-year-old Sitouman, male, for the attempted trafficking of two female victims aged 20 and 24 to China for sexual exploitation purposes. Police arrested the perpetrator in Phnom Penh and reported that the perpetrator was charged with Article 10 "Unlawful Removal with Purpose" and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the two victims, Vietnamese nationals who reside in Cambodia, returned to their families in Phnom Penh at the request of the families. ¶7. (SBU) On August 31, police from AHTJP arrested 29-year-old Sey Tin, male, for trafficking 12 victims from Prey Veng province to Thailand to work on a fishing boat. Police reported that there were four victims under age 18. Police arrested the perpetrator and rescued the victims in Prey Veng province. Police reported that the perpetrator was sent to court and is currently in pre-trial detention and the victims returned to their families. ¶8. (SBU) On September 30, Phnom Penh police arrested 53-year-old Mean Sok Kheang, female, for the attempted trafficking of 25 female victims aged between 14 and 17. Police reported that the perpetrator planned to arrange weddings for the victims to Korean men in order to transport the victims to Korea. Police arrested the perpetrator in Phnom Penh and reported that the perpetrator is PHNOM PENH 00000874 002 OF 004 currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that all of the victims were sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Office of Social Affairs. It has become typical for law enforcement to first send victims to the municipal or provincial social affairs office, from which victims are referred to NGO shelters for victim assistance or returned to their families at the victims' request. Police Activity - Procurement of Prostitution Arrests -------------- -------------- ¶9. (SBU) On July 14, Phnom Penh police arrested 47-year-old Yoeung Thy Aline, female, 49-year-old Sok Srey Nga, female, and 26-year-old Phak Sokly, female, for operating a brothel in Siem Reap. Police rescued three underage victims, aged between 12 and 15 years old. Police reported that the three perpetrators are now in pre-trial detention; one of the victims was sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Office of Social Affairs for victim assistance while two others returned directly to their families after they were granted permission by police and the Phnom Penh Municipal Office of Social Affairs. ¶10. (SBU) On July 29, police from AHTJP arrested 40-year-old Srun Sopheap, male, 39-year-old Hub Kim, female, 39-year-old Sun Ngin, female, and 23-year-old Hor Virak, male, for operating a brothel in Oddar Meanchey province. Police rescued 17 victims and reported six underage victims among them, aged between 15 and 17 years old. Police reported that the four perpetrators are now in pre-trial detention and all of the victims were sent to Oddar Meanchey Provincial Office of Social Affairs for victim assistance. ¶11. (SBU) On August 5, Siem Reap provincial police arrested 62-year-old Teh Sam Ath, male, and 57-year-old Mao Savath, female, for operating a brothel. Police rescued 14 victims and reported one underage victim among them. Police reported that the two perpetrators are currently in pre-trial detention and all of the victims were sent to Siem Reap Provincial Office of Social Affairs for victim assistance. ¶12. (SBU) On September 4, Phnom Penh police arrested 36-year-old Thul Vanna, female, for operating a brothel. Police rescued seven victims and reported four underage victims among them. Police reported that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention and all of the victims were sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Office of Social Affairs for victim assistance. ¶13. (SBU) On September 11, Phnom Penh police arrested 40-year-old Vietnamese national Dao Yem Chov, female, and 21-year-old Srey Virak, male, for operating a brothel. Police rescued 12 victims and reported three underage victims among them. Police reported that the perpetrators were sent to court and are currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that eight victims were sent to PPMSA for victim assistance while four others returned directly to their families after they were granted permission by police and Phnom Penh Municipal Office of Social Affairs. Court Activity -------------- ¶14. (SBU) On July 27, Phnom Penh Municipal Court (PPMC) convicted 32-year-old Choun Srey Touch, female, under Article 15 of the TIP law ("The Act of Selling, Buying or Exchanging a Person with Purpose") for trafficking a 20-day-old female victim. The court sentenced the perpetrator to 15 years in prison. ¶15. (SBU) On August 21, PPMC convicted 25-year-old Mey Vannak, male, in absentia for trafficking a 32-year-old female victim. The court sentenced Mey Vannak to nine years in prison under Article 15 of the TIP law ("The Act of Selling, Buying or Exchanging a Person with Purpose"). The court issued an arrest warrant and ordered Mey Vannak to pay USD 3,000 in victim assistance. Prosecution and Investigation of Child Sex Tourism -------------- -------------- ¶16. (SBU) MOJ reported that on July 1, the Appeals Court upheld the decision of the Preah Sihanouk provincial court, convicting Russian national Nikita Belov for committing indecent acts against a minor under fifteen years old, but suspending the 3-year prison sentence (Ref B). The Ministry of Justice had initiated the appeal to overturn the Sihanoukville decision, in order to send Belov to jail for three years (Ref A). The Appeals Court, acting in the absence of the perpetrator, additionally ordered Belov to pay between $250 and $3,700 USD in victim assistance. Belov reportedly departed Cambodia shortly after he was released from prison in July 2008, and his whereabouts remain unknown. ¶17. (SBU) MOJ reported that on July 15, Preah Sihanouk provincial court convicted 33-year-old Japanese national Shunichi Nakagawa for PHNOM PENH 00000874 003 OF 004 producing child pornography. The court sentenced Nakagawa to six years in prison and ordered him to pay approximately $120 USD to each of his victims. ¶18. (SBU) MOJ reported that on July 30, the Appeals Court upheld the conviction and sentence of Thomas Baron von Engelhardt, a Dutch national. Von Engelhardt was convicted under TIP law Article 34 ("Purchase of Child Prostitution"),and is currently serving 12 years in prison. ¶19. (SBU) MOJ reported that on July 30, the Appeals Court also upheld the conviction and sentence of 63-year-old Dutch national Karl-Heinz Opitz Henning. Henning is currently serving 12 years in prison. ¶20. (SBU) On August 26, PPMC convicted 59-year-old American national Michael James Dodd for the purchase of child prostitution. The court also convicted 40-year-old Chan Phally, the victim's mother. The victim was a 14-year-old girl. The court sentenced Michael James Dodd to 10 years in prison under TIP law Article 34 ("Purchase of Child Prostitution") and Chan Phally to 10 years in prison under Article 4 ("Criminal Responsibility") and Article 34 ("Purchase of Child Prostitution"). The court ordered Michael James Dodd to pay around USD 5,000 in victim assistance. The victim was referred to World Hope International for immediate assistance, and then to a medium-term shelter sponsored by World Vision, where she is currently staying. ¶21. (SBU) AHTJP police reported that on August 30, 75-year-old American national Jack Louis Sporich, 49-year-old American national Ronald Gerard Boyasian, and 41-year-old American national Erik Leonardus Peeters were returned to the United States at U.S. Government request under Department of Homeland Security escort. The three are expected to face charges under the PROTECT Act. ¶22. (SBU) On September 9, PPMC convicted 61-year-old French national Jacques Bernard Rene Collinet for purchase of child prostitution. The court sentenced Collinet to three years in prison, with two years suspended, under TIP law Article 34 ("Purchase of Child Prostitution") and ordered Collinet to pay around USD 500 in victim assistance. The court ordered Collinet deported from Cambodia upon completion of the prison term. ¶23. (SBU) On July 23, Phnom Penh police arrested 44-year-old American national Scott Alan Hecker in a guesthouse room and rescued two underage female victims, aged 12 and 14. Police reported that the perpetrator was charged under TIP law Article 43 ("Indecent Acts against a Minor under Fifteen Years") and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victims were sent to World Hope International (WHI) for victim assistance. ¶24. (SBU) On July 27, Preah Sihanouk provincial police arrested 51-year-old British national Gareth Ashley Corbett and rescued one 12-year-old female victim. Police reported that the perpetrator was charged under TIP law Article 43 ("Indecent Act against a Minor under Fifteen Years") and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victim was sent to WHI for victim assistance. ¶25. (SBU) On August 9, Phnom Penh police arrested 57-year-old American national Harvey Alexander Johnson and rescued five underage female victims, aged between 11 and 14. Police reported that the perpetrator was charged under TIP law Article 43 ("Indecent Acts against a Minor under Fifteen Years") and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victims returned directly to their families who requested their return. ¶26. (SBU) On August 20, Phnom Penh police arrested 63-year-old French national Michel Jean Raymond Charlot and rescued a 16-year-old female victim. Police reported that the perpetrator was charged under TIP law Article 34 ("Purchase of Child Prostitution") and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victim returned directly to her family at its request. ¶27. (SBU) On August 20, Phnom Penh police arrested 60-year-old French national Claude Jean Pierre Demeret and rescued a 16-year-old female victim. Police reported that the perpetrator was charged under TIP law Article 34 ("Purchase of Child Prostitution") and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victim returned to her family at its request. ¶28. (SBU) On August 26, Siem Reap provincial police arrested 62-year-old Swiss national Rudolf Dierekto Knuchel and rescued two victims, ages 14 and 18. Police reported that the perpetrator was charged under TIP law Article 42 ("Sexual Intercourse with a Minor under Fifteen Years") and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victims were sent to PHNOM PENH 00000874 004 OF 004 Siem Reap Provincial Office of Social Affairs for victim assistance. ¶29. (SBU) On September 7, police from AHTJP arrested 40-year-old Japanese national Kato Atsushi and rescued one underage Vietnamese female victim. Police reported that the perpetrator was charged under TIP law Article 34 ("Purchase of Child Prostitution") and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victim was sent to WHI for victim assistance through Phnom Penh Municipal Office of Social Affairs. ¶30. (SBU) On September 22, Preah Sihanouk provincial police arrested 61-year-old French national Jean-Marie Beranger and rescued a 13-year-old male victim. Police reported that the perpetrator was charged under TIP law Article 43 ("Indecent Acts against a Minor under Fifteen Years") and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victim returned directly to his family at its request. Other Activity -------------- ¶31. (SBU) Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE) reported assisting police in various provinces with investigations that led to arrests of the 7 foreign pedophiles mentioned above. ¶32. (SBU) MOSAVY reported that it received 140 female victims of sex trafficking in Cambodia and sent them to NGOs for victim assistance. MOSAVY also reported that seven female Vietnamese national victims were sent back to Vietnam. ¶33. (SBU) International Justice Mission (IJM) reported five successful operations in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, resulting in the rescue of 20 victims. Police confirmed that they arrested 13 perpetrators through these various operations. ¶34. (SBU) The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) received three human trafficking complaints. ADHOC reported that police rescued five victims, between the ages of three and 16 years old, and that police arrested two perpetrators in two cases and are searching for the perpetrator in the third case. ¶35. (SBU) Cambodian Defenders Project (CDP) received two new cases related to "procurement of prostitution," in which three rescued prostitutes were under age 18. CDP provided legal support and lawyers for the victims, who had already been placed at the AGAPE long-term aftercare shelter. ¶36. (SBU) World Hope International (WHI) received 40 rescued victims of sex trafficking between the ages of 11 and 21 years old. Of the 40 trafficked victims, WHI reported that seven were abused by foreign pedophiles. ¶37. (SBU) AFESIP reported that the organization filed four complaints to police on behalf of victims. AFESIP also provided assistance to 37 rescued victims from four raid operations carried out by police from AHTJP. ¶38. (SBU) Healthcare Center for Children (HCC) reported that their two centers in Kandal and Koh Kong provinces received nine victims of sexual and labor trafficking during the third quarter. Three of the victims were minors. HCC provided bsic necessities and legal counseling to the victims. RODLEY