Human rights Abuses of Sex Workers in Cambodia

The Cambodian Government under the influence of the US has passed a law against sex work. Since March, sex workers have been rounded up in raids,arrested, detained, denied medical services, beaten and raped by police. At least three sex workers have died in police custody. Others are being denied life-saving medicines. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!

Background:

Cambodian sex workers face severe raids from police:
Preserving value of women or treat them with respect and dignity?

Each day for the last few weeks the local news has been flashing reports of more raids on sex workers in brothels in different areas in Phnom Penh, and some in the provinces. However, raids on sex workers don't only take place in Phnom Penh but a number of provinces such as Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kampong Chhang. The news paints a bad image of sex workers being the people who carry immoral behaviors around and destroy Cambodian beautiful values and tradition especially those of the women. The new law and the push from the US government that has driven these raids has a different approach though. It declares sex workers to be trafficked women and victims of sex slavery who want to be rescued from the sex industry. Those who do not, or who put up resistance, are criminalized by the new law as traffickers or as aiding trafficking.

Several sex workers have made clear reports to WNU about their experiences of being raided by the police, raped and held against their will without proper process. The facility in which the women are held is a prison with conditions and routine human rights abuses reminiscent of the Khmer Rouge regime. In reality, not only sex workers are being arrested but also beggars, homeless people, drug users, waste pickers, children who wander around in city at night time, alone or in a way that invites suspicion.

Phnom Penh based sex workers who were raided noticed that even though raids from police on brothel and freelance sex workers on the park has always been happening, the situation become more often and intensive since February 2008. In Phnom Penh, target areas include Wat Phnom, along the river front, on the famous park such as along the independent monument, Psar Chas, and in slum areas where very poor women live. In the process the police and detention centre guards openly abuse the women. Their money, jewelery, and other valuables such as phones are routinely stolen by the police. Women are being subject to severe physical abuse, beatings and raped by the police. HIV Positive sex workers who are put into the center cannot have the regular ARVs they are required to take everyday. Some women have already fallen ill as a result of the abuses and the violence committed by the security guards. No care or medical treatment has been made available to any women for their injuries or medical conditions.Some sex workers who are HIV positive have asked for release explaining that they cannot miss their ARV medication when they are inthe center but their pleas have not been listened to. To be get out of the center, they have to pay money which is called compensation and promise that they are not to return to their work as sex workers again.

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