Local human rights group Licadho on Thursday released a list of foreigners charged with sex crimes involving children since 1998.
Although its use has not yet been determined, the list of 41 foreign men convicted or charged with debauchery, rape, pornography or prostitution with children in Cambodia may be distributed to foreign embassies or foreign law enforcement officials, Licadho Director Naly Pilorge said Thursday. The cases were compiled by Licadho and two partner NGOs from case studies and newspaper reports.
“The scary part is the fear of pedophiles from outside of Cambodia targeting Cambodia specifically to exploit Cambodian kids,” Pilorge said.
Of the 41 men named, only 11 are listed to have been convicted as charged.
In three cases, suspects were recorded as being detained abroad. Some six cases may still be pending in court. That leaves about 21 cases that were unresolved, according to the list.
Also included in the list are notes associated with certain cases, including some colorful statements, such as: “Arrested at a hotel room with girl; claimed he was teaching her meditation and that he could not have raped her because he is impotent.”
Suspects hailed from Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
While the list protects the rights of victims, Cambodian Defender’s Project Executive Director Sok Sam Oeun said it could hinder the rights of those who were only charged but not convicted of crimes. “If we publish a list like that, it has a little bit of impact on [the suspect’s] rights…because everybody has integrity,” he said Thursday.