Sunday, 6 September 2009

Cambodia to Use Media in Fight Against Child Trafficking

Written by dap-news
Saturday, 05 September 2009

Cambodia and civil partners on Friday conducted a seminar on strategies for fighting against child trafficking using the media.

“Child trafficking is still our major concern currently and it is so important that we have used the media system for helping and preventing child trafficking,” Thach Phaen, secretary of state for the Information Ministry, told the seminar.

“Cambodia is still facing child trafficking and it is our challenging issue in the country … so we must deal with it and prevent any cases, especially those involving our women and children,” he added. “We also thank civic organizations that they have always cooperated with each other to lift strategies to fighting against the human trafficking to promote human rights and the dignity of the child victims.”

Cambodia has already signed several conventions on preventing child trafficking, including banning child soldiers from armed conflicts, and making illegal child trafficking, prostitution, child porn in 2002, signing a convention of child protection and cooperation on child adoption in Hague, Netherlands in 2007. Cambodia has also signed a bilateral agreement with other countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region to strengthen the bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation in fighting against the trafficking of children, women and other vulnerable people.

Thach Phan stressed that the Cambodian Government has always prioritized the kingdom’s children and taken steps to implement children’s rights to life, protection, development and to join in society.

“We also recognize June 1 as Children Day and World Against Child Labor Day in June 12 and we always celebrate them every year,” he said. “The Government also determined in its policy to join the children rights and equity rights for women, gender, and we also promote the law against human trafficking and against the sex trade.”

The Information Ministry joined to raise awareness in print media, the radio and TV, and has banned any forms of discrimination against age, sex, race, skin color, religion or political beliefs, he said. “We all have to push the activities of equity gender to broaden for people, and stop family violence.”

“Media will help to write and broadcast with ethical production, and all spot organizers on TV and radio, and print media have to pay attention on the rights of children, women, and hotels and guest houses have to place posters for child protection, and also in entertainment clubs,” he added.

Mikor Essam, director of Project against Domestic Violence, said that child rights are still a concern, especially as the world faces a global financial crisis.

“We have to take care about women and children, and media is still important factor to promote and join in fighting against and prevent any forms of child trafficking,” he said. The law enforcement also is strength- ening and play an important role.”

Earlier this week, Cambodia and the US sent back home three American men who involved with sex abuse on minors. Both sides said they will cooperate further to fight against human trafficking.

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