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In Cambodia, the issue of surrogacy (GPA) and infant trafficking is a sensitive and tragic subject. While the authorities are trying to put a stop to this practice, the illegal trade in infantscontinues to flourish. A look at the current situation highlights not only the social implications of this reality, but also the actors who profit from it, often to the detriment of the most vulnerable. Prison sentences for surrogate mothersA Cambodian court recently sentenced thirteen surrogate mothers to
four years in prison farm. According to the judges’ decision, these women intended to sell the babies they were going to carry, which amounts to an act of human trafficking . Cambodia has banned surrogacy, but that has not stopped the practice from continuing to flourish within clandestine networks. This particular case is all the more disturbing because the convicted women are not Cambodians. Police arrested a group of twenty Filipino women and four Vietnamese women, intercepted in a villa near
Phnom Penh
. The situation highlights the fact that the victims of this complex situation often come from an unfavorable economic context. A thriving market despite the bans Faced with the ban on surrogacy, Cambodia remains a popular destination for foreign couples hoping to start a family. Despite the absence of precise figures on the subject, it is clear that this industry continues to attract many customers, particularly from China, of
Australia orUNITED STATES
. This phenomenon shockingly persists, fueled by differences in surrogacy costs, which represent a considerable attraction.
To give an idea, surrogacy services in the United States can cost more than 100,000 euroswhile in Cambodia, prices are around10,000 euros . For many women, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, this sum represents an invaluable opportunity and they engage in this practice despite the associated risks. Clandestine networks at workTraffickers, unfortunately, operate in opaque networks that are difficult to trace by the authorities. The Minister of the Interior stressed that it was not possible to identify the online agency which allegedly recruited these women. Suspicions point to agencies based in
Thailand , a country that was long a hub for this trade before banning surrogacy in 2015. Couples who dream of children, particularly those who have been affected by one child policyin China, resort to this illegal treatment. In addition to Asians, Australian and American clients looking for discreet agencies continue to look for solutions abroad, taking advantage of loopholes in local regulations.
Laos: a new El Dorado for surrogate mothers
Faced with the restrictions imposed on Cambodia, the Laosis already positioning itself as a new destination for the surrogacy business. Clinics, like “Laos Fertility”, promote their services on the web, offering all couples, regardless of their marital status, the opportunity to realize their dream of being parents. The infrastructure and care in this country, less wealthy than Cambodia, seem to attract clients looking for surrogate mothers.
Additionally, Thailand is currently considering lifting its ban on surrogacy, which could portend the emergence of a new market that is even more complex and difficult to regulate. A difficult fight for the authorities As authorities attempt to step up efforts to eradicate the practice, they face considerable challenges. THE
trafficking networks
being well-entrenched and often invisible, the detection and arrest of those who profit from them proves difficult. Additionally, poverty and the desire for a better life still push many women down this risky path, creating an endless cycle of vulnerability. The repercussions of this illegal trade are not only limited to surrogate mothers, but also affect children, who are often innocent victims in this tragedy. The fight to put an end to this practice requires concerted action by governments but also a global change in mentalities. FAQs on the illegal infant trade in Cambodia
What is the current situation of surrogate mothers in Cambodia?
Thirteen surrogate mothers were sentenced to four years in prison after being tried for intent to sell babies, an act described as
human trafficking . Surrogacy is prohibited in the country. Why has Cambodia become a destination for foreign couples?
Although surrogacy is officially prohibited, Cambodia remains a
flagship destination
for foreign couples looking for parents thanks to the possibility of recruiting surrogate mothers. Who are the women involved in this affair? The thirteen women arrested are not Cambodians, but Filipinos and Vietnamese, arrested during a police operation near Phnom Penh.What is the profile of this business’s customers?
Most of the customers are of nationality Chinese , but there are also Australians and Americans seeking to use clandestine surrogacy agencies. What are the price differences between Cambodia and other countries?
In the United States, the cost for a surrogate mother exceeds 100,000 euros
, while in Cambodia it costs less than 10,000 euros, which represents a huge sum for these women. Which countries could replace Cambodia in this trade? THELaos
, poorer than Cambodia, is already positioning itself as a new destination for surrogacy, with agencies offering their services on the internet. Is Thailand considering lifting its ban on surrogacy? Yes, Thailand is currently considering lifting its ban to allow foreigners access to surrogate mothers, opening up new possibilities for prospective parents.