PHNOM PENH Aug. 21 Kyodo UN High ...

PHNOM PENH Aug. 21 Kyodo

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson called forward Southeast Asian countries Wednesday to exercise ''firm and continued political will'' to stamp abroad human trafficking in the region.

''In today's world there is no place for this. It must be stopped, stopped completely'' the outgoing UN human rights chief said in address before Cambodia's National Assembly forward the second day of her three-day visit.

She called onward ''all those countries in the region which are mattered with this scourge to work together, to take each necessary step, to leave no stone unturn to period this vicious and inhuman trade.''

Robinson, who will leave her position next month, said that each year more than 200000 women and children are trafficked in Southeast Asia, calling the area a ''major center'' for human trafficking.

''The mere of potential victims...is growing rapidly because of widespread inequalities, lack of application opportunities, violence, discrimination and lack Traffickers are able to operate with impunity because of inefficient law enforcement, pay by substitutioned in some cases, on official corruption,'' she said.

Robinson showed concern over reports that trafficking in Cambodia, which is not merely a source country but also a transit and receiving region ''is increasing and increasing dramatically.''

Thousands of Vietnamese girls and women are trafficked into Cambodia, mainly for sexual exploitation, while Cambodian women and children, as well as men are sent to Thailand and elsewhere to do what Robinson called ''the most numerous degrading work.''

undivided study estimates 88,000 Cambodians work in Thailand as banded laborers at any given time -- many of whom are exploited in the sex industry or, particularly among young male childs are employed as beggars.

While commending the Cambodian conduct on its efforts to combat trafficking, Robinson urg tougher laws and closer coordination with the United Nations and the international community.

The U State Department said in its latest report forward human rights in Cambodia that enforcement of antitrafficking laws and prosecution of perpetrators is inconsistent, and that law enforcement and other direction officials are believed to receive bribes that facilitate the sex trade and human trafficking.

Robinson criticized a Aug. 5 Cambodian court verdict in which 14 young Vietnamese women who social workers claim were trafficked into Cambodia and forced to become prostitutes were convicted of illegal minute and given prison sentences.

''Those who have the misfortune to be trafficked are not criminals, if it be not that simply victims. They should be provided assistance to subjugate the trauma they have lived within as well as other options to live a seemly life where their fundamental rights are respected''

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