Today, the Royal Government of Cambodia, the United Nations, and civil society representatives gathered for the National Consultation Workshop on Referral Mechanisms as part of the overall project on “Strengthening the Identification and Reintegration of Trafficked Persons in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region”.

The participants shared their expertise on services and support as well as expressed their recommendations for strengthening referral mechanisms for victims of trafficking.

 “This workshop is a sign of the progress that the Royal Government of Cambodia has made, together with the countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, through the COMMIT Process, in combatting human trafficking through a comprehensive and collaborative approach,” explained Nick Beresford, UN Development Programme Country Director in Cambodia.

Though significant progress has been made, migrants are still using irregular migration channels, predominantly with the assistance of unlicensed brokers. Through these backchannels, migrants remain at risk of exploitation.

The UN warns that if human trafficking is not successfully addressed it will continue to have, and entrench, negative effects on society.

Existing structures and gaps on referral mechanism in Cambodia will be identified and recommendations have been raised, compiled. They will be used by the stakeholders to enhance the mechanism to better serve the victims with quality and timely services and support.

“As part of the Sustainable Development Goals, governments have committed to bringing an end to human trafficking, forced labour and related forms of abuse. We seek to ensure that no one is left behind on the road towards sustainable development,” Beresford concluded.

About

About the United Nations Action for Cooperation against Trafficking in Persons (UN-ACT): UN-ACT is a regional project managed by UNDP. UN-ACT is also working closely with the six GMS countries through the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking (COMMIT Process).

Media Contacts:

Tith Lim, National Project Coordinator, UN-ACT, Cell: 012 945 952

Email: tith.lim@undp.org