Cambodia reaffirms resolve to step up anti-trafficking efforts　

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has reaffirmed its firm commitment to eradicating all forms of human trafficking through the strict enforcement of legal measures against trafficking and sexual exploitation, the country's National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) said on Monday.

In a statement, the NCCT noted that the Southeast Asian nation has actively implemented the Palermo Protocol as its foundational framework for investigating crimes, identifying victims, and bringing suspects to justice.

Furthermore, the government highlighted its aggressive stance against the modern intersection of cybercrime and forced labor, saying that it has taken stringent measures against online scam operations, which are intrinsically linked to human trafficking.

According to the NCCT, authorities have launched widespread operational crackdowns on scam operations across all identified locations. Law enforcement personnel have successfully shut down hundreds of illicit scam compounds and rescued individuals trapped at these crime scenes.

The NCCT assured that the kingdom remains steadfast in its high-level commitment to combating human trafficking, particularly regarding online scams.

The statement came as the U.S. State Department released its 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report last month, which kept Cambodia on Tier 3, the lowest ranking in the U.S. assessment framework.