Jurist Rights group calls for protection of migrants in Cambodia escaping ‘scamming compounds’

[Dadparvar]

Amnesty International on Friday called on the Cambodian government to support the victims who escaped from scamming compounds. The rights group reported on 15 videos showing thousands of escape attempts and releases at 10 compounds across Cambodia in the past 36 hours.

Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said:

Footage appearing to show the mass release and escape attempts from scamming compounds of individuals who are possibly victims of human trafficking and torture raises concerns that thousands of people are now stranded in Cambodia without support and at risk of being re‑trafficked into other compounds.

The Cambodian government must provide support for these individuals and help bring all remaining victims inside scamming compounds to safety, as well as ensuring their access to justice and remedy. They must not be forcibly sent back to countries where they risk being persecuted, as has happened in the past.

An 18-month long investigation concluded in June of last year documented living conditions after visiting 52 identified scamming compounds. The report described the compounds as “designed to keep people inside, with features such as surveillance cameras, barbed wire around perimeter walls and large numbers of security personnel, often carrying electric shock batons and in some cases firearms”. Survivors reported severe beatings and being sold from one compound to another.

The videos and statement come following a crackdown on scamming by the Cambodian government. On July 4, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered the creation of an Anti-Scam Commission. The commission says that it has raided 118 scam locations across the country, and arrested around 5,000 people since its establishment.

Earlier this month, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn reiterated that, “t’s a continued combat, and we have set measures and steps in order to eradicate this crime.” Last week on January 7th, Cambodian authorities arrested and extradited to China billionaire Chen Zhi—the alleged mastermind who directed operations for forced labour compounds across Cambodia.

Cambodia has a 2008 law that covers human trafficking and abduction with severe punishment ranging from seven to twenty years. However, according to a US Department of State assessment on Cambodian human trafficking, an issue is inadequate law enforcement and complicity of government officials.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked in Cambodia, Myanmar, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Philippines and Malaysia. The problem has been increasing since 2021 when the pandemic enabled criminals to take advantage of migrants stranded in the region without work. INTERPOL has previously expressed concern over the expansion of human trafficking in Southeast Asia.

The post Rights group calls for protection of migrants in Cambodia escaping ‘scamming compounds’ appeared first on JURIST - News.

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