28 Indonesian Victims of Human Trafficking Return Home from Cambodia
A total of 28 Indonesian citizens who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking had their repatriation facilitated from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
IDXChannel - A total of 28 Indonesian citizens who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking had their repatriation facilitated from Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Indonesia with the assistance of staff from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh.
On 4 October, 28 Indonesian nationals arrived at Soekarno Hatta International Airport. They have undergone an examination process by local authorities with the results indicating that they are victims of human trafficking.
"From 2021 to 2022, incidences of internet scamming involving Indonesian citizens increased eightfold in Cambodia," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a media release on Wednesday (4/10/2023).
Previously, 27 of the 28 Indonesian were suspected of having experienced exploitation at online scamming companies in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia. On 28 June, the Indonesian citizens were picked up from a Poipet accommodation by the Phnom Penh Central Police's Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection after intensive coordination between the embassy of Indonesia and the local law enforcement to undergo further examination. The 27 Indonesian individuals were then relocated temporarily to a shelter run by the institution Caritas on 14 July.
On 5 September 5, the Cambodian Police additionally rescued 1 Indonesian citizen who previously worked at the same company as the 27 Indonesian citizens who had been rescued previously, but had been transferred to a different online scamming company in the same province. After being transferred to Phnom Penh, they were immediately placed at the Caritas shelter to undergo further processing with the other 27 Indonesian citizens. The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh helped 3 Indonesian citizens with logistical support, medicine, and hospital finance while they were residing at the Caritas shelter. Apart from that, KBRI Phnom Penh consistently offered interpretation support throughout the interview procedure, both at the Police and at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation of Cambodia.
In its development, the Cambodian Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation sent a letter to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh stating that the 28 Indonesian citizens were suspected as victims of human trafficking based on the results of interviews conducted by the Cambodian authorities. Furthermore, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh immediately coordinated with Cambodian Immigration regarding the immigration status and permits for the 28 Indonesian citizens who would be repatriated.
The 28 Indonesian nationals are expected to be accommodated at the Bambu Apus Safe House and Trauma Center (RPTC) of the Ministry of Social Affairs after arriving in Indonesia to go through a rehabilitation procedure before being sent back to their respected area of origin. Apart from that, they will also undergo a follow-up assessment process by the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian Police for further investigation and action against recruitment agents in Indonesia.
"The Indonesian government constantly advises its citizens to be wary in accepting job offers that end up being exploited by online scamming companies," the Ministry concluded. (WHY)