Off the Streets

Arbitrary Detention and Other Abuses against Sex Workers in Cambodia

Maps

I. Summary

Key Recommendations

II. Methodology

III. Sex Work in Cambodia

Numbers and Origins

Civil Society Involvement with Sex Workers

Sex Work under Current Cambodian Law..

Guidelines and Explanatory Notes to Interpret 2008 Law..

A Long History of Crackdowns against Sex Workers

IV. Abuses against Sex Workers

Street Harassment and Abuses

Abuses during Arrest and in Police Custody

Detention, Bribes, and Harassment at the Municipal Social Affairs Office

Abuses at Government Social Affairs Centers

NGO Shelters and Arbitrary Detention

V. International Law..

VI. Impunity and Inaction Perpetuate Abuses

Failure to Investigate and Prosecute Abuses

US Pressure to Address Trafficking Makes a Bad Situation Worse

VII. Recommendations

To the Government of Cambodia

To the Ministry of Interior

To the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation

To the Phnom Penh Municipality

To the National Assembly of Cambodia

To United Nations Agencies and Concerned Donor Governments Including the US, EU, Japan, and Australia

To the US Government

To NGOs Assisting Victims of Trafficking and Sex Workers

Appendix: Letters Sent to the Government of Cambodia

Letter to Ministry of Interior: Sent April 19, 2010..

Letter to Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation: Sent April 19, 2010

Acknowledgements