Cambodian embassy in Malaysia pointed out for not helping Cambodians victims of human trafficking

The website of the Cambodian embassy indicated that Princess Arunrasmy (above), the youngest daughter of King-Father and wife of Funcinpec president, is the current Cambodian ambassador in Malaysia

07 April 2009
By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French

Victims of human trafficking are pointing at the Cambodian embassy office in Malaysia which refused to come to their help.

Six Cambodian citizens, all from the same family, who were victims of revolting working conditions in Malaysia, have accused the Cambodian embassy office in Kuala Lumpur of not coming to their help. The accusation was made during a press conference organized by the Caram Cambodia NGO on Tuesday 07 April in Phnom Penh.

“We were enticed to go to work in Malaysia in November 2007 through a Cambodian middleman. He proposed to me a working position at 4 hours away from Kuala Lumpur, in a coffee factory. We were supposed to earn $167 per month each, i.e. 600 Malaysian ringgits,” 42-year-old Sarath from Kampong Cham province said.

“In reality, on our 600 ringgits salary, 50 were deducted for rent and 200 for the visa fee. Our employer confiscated our passport at our arrival, and they made us work 12 hours nonstop [each day], from 6:30PM to 7AM. On some months, we were only able to work 10 to 20 days, they did not pay us on holidays,” Sarath added.

“When we wanted our passports back, we found out that the factory owner never renewed our visa. We went to the Cambodian embassy in Kuala Lumpur. We met an official by the name of Vantha who refused to help us, claiming that he had no right to protect illegal workers,” Sarath said.

“Vantha advised us to return back to meet our boss to ask for a compensation, or else turn us to the immigration police. He refused to let us stay at the embassy for more than one day. We begged him, we cried, but nothing would budge him,” Sarath recalled.

Finally, the family turned to Cambodian citizens living in Kuala Lumpur who told them about the Caram NGO which is involved in the defense of expatriated workers. The NGO then took charge of their return to Cambodia.

“The claim made by the embassy has no legal basis,” Ya Navuth, the executive director of Caram Cambodia, indicated. “The embassy should intervene, regardless of the personal opinion provided by Mr. Vantha who did not want to get hassled by this issue. If the Cambodian embassy is indifferent to the fate of Cambodian citizens, then several of them could become victims.”

On Tuesday, the Cambodian embassy in Malaysia could not be reached by “Cambodge Soir Hebdo.”

In 2009, Caram came to the help of 19 Cambodians, 13 of whom were in Taiwan. In 2008, Caram was also involved with 15 other Cambodia.

Christian mission to help girls rescued from human trafficking in Cambodia

First Christian Church group heading to Cambodia

Mission is to help girls rescued from human trafficking

Jan 04, 2008
The Register-Mail (Galesburg, Illinois, USA)

MONMOUTH - Eleven members of First Christian Church will depart Jan. 12 for a 10-day mission trip to Rapha House in Cambodia. Around 60 girls, ages 4 to 14, who have been rescued from the horrors of human trafficking live at Rapha House.

The church group’s mission is to help the rescued girls and staff of Rapha House and share their faith. Human trafficking is a serious human rights issue facing Cambodia today. Poverty, tourism, socio-economic imbalance between rural and urban areas, and lack of employment and education opportunities result in young people being abused, coerced, deceived and abducted into sexual and labor exploitation. Victims of human trafficking face the risk of physical and psychological harm as well as being exposed to sexually transmitted diseases.

American Rehabilitation Ministries established Rapha House in 2003. The organization started ministering to U.S. prisoners in 1973. Rapha House is committed to rescuing young girls who are victims of slavery and prostitution and providing them with a safe home where they can heal and receive an education. Training at Rapha House includes computers, cosmetology, sewing and English.

The church group’s team members have been raising funds throughout the year by working booths at the car show, Prime Beef Festival and Heritage Days, holding a concert at the church, selling coupons and candles and participating in Birdies for Charity. Through these fundraisers, their own finances, private contribution and with the help of the church’s mission committee, they have been able to raise the necessary funds for airfare, housing and interpreters. Any additional funds raised will go to Rapha House.

The members have been trained in working effectively as at team and have studied the language and culture of Cambodia. They also have gathered supplies for Rapha House. While at Rapha House, they will help teach English and leadership skills. They will also provide daily lessons on loving one another, obedience to God and increasing self-esteem. All lessons will focus on scripture, provide an opportunity for discussion and end with an activity.

“Somewhere, somehow, someone has to ‘stand in the gap’ and be advocates for these little girls,” said group leader Pam Epperson. “We are realizing that they have names and faces and are being exploited in the most terrible of ways. They are real little girls just like our daughter and granddaughters. It is the privilege of the First Christian Church and this team to be part of this, working hand in hand to initiate and perpetrate further advocacy for the little girls of Cambodia.”

For more information on this mission trip or Rapha House, contact Epperson at 734-9419 or visit www.freedomforgirls.org.