* Cambodia Humanitarian Crisis: Survivors Reveal Murder, Rape, Torture
- Thousands of peopel who escaped or were released from scamming compounds in Cambodia are stranded and urgently need help, Amnesty International reports.
- Amnesty International interviewed 35 survivors, almost all foreign nationals, released or escaped within the last six weeks - including 11 in the past week.
- Several survivors reported sexual assault by compound bosses, with at least two women becoming pregnant as a result.
Thousands of peopel who escaped or were released from scamming compounds in Cambodia are stranded and urgently need help, Amnesty International reports. Survivors describe harrowing abuses, including rape and torture, and are now left without passports, money, or medical care.
Amnesty International interviewed 35 survivors, almost all foreign nationals, released or escaped within the last six weeks – including 11 in the past week. They detailed a chaotic and dangerous situation, with no clear path to safety.
Several survivors reported sexual assault by compound bosses, with at least two women becoming pregnant as a result. Other reported punishments included a man having his finger chopped off and another having his throat cut.
“This mass exodus from scamming compounds has created a humanitarian crisis on the streets that is being ignored by the Cambodian government. Amid scenes of chaos and suffering,thousands of traumatized survivors are being left to fend for themselves with no state support,” said Montse Ferrer,Amnesty International’s Regional Research director.
“This is an international crisis on Cambodian soil. Our researchers have met people from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. They are in urgent need of consular assistance in order to help get them home and out of harm’s way.”
‘many people died’
Amnesty International estimates thousands have been released or escaped from at least 17 scamming compounds in Cambodia in recent weeks. This aligns with evidence from 25 videos geolocated by Amnesty International showing mass escapes and releases. many are now stranded in Phnom Penh and desperate for assistance. Survivors came from countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Bangladesh, India, Philippines and madagascar.
Interviewed survivors reported no police or military presence during or after their escape or release, suggesting limited involvement from Cambodian authorities. Some said they were met with be