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Cambodia, despite the ban on surrogacy in 2016, continues to see a particularly controversial traffic flourish: that of surrogate mothers. Recently, a police raid revealed a network attracting Filipino women, exploiting their precarious situation to convert them into surrogate mothers for the benefit of wealthy clients. This investigation reveals a sinister side of the assisted reproduction in South-East Asia, where the lure of profit prevails over ethics, leaving thousands of lives turned upside down.
In a context where surrogacy, although prohibited in Cambodia, continues to prosper, a recent investigation has shed light on the workings of a network of surrogate mothers. This scandal led to the arrest of several Filipino and Vietnamese women, illustrating the persistence of abuse linked to this controversial practice. This story reveals the often hidden realities of this illegal trade which attracts couples looking for children, while exploiting vulnerable women.
A surprise operation in the heart of Phnom Penh
The dismantling of this network took place in a villa in the town of Prek Anchanh, in Kandal province, south of Phnom Penh. At the end of September, police carried out a raid which led to the arrest of 24 women, mainly Filipino and Vietnamese, recruited to be surrogate mothers. The Cambodian authorities reacted quickly, and among the women arrested, eleven were not yet pregnant and were deported to their country of origin.
Prison sentences for surrogate mothers
The thirteen women who had already given birth were sentenced to four years in prison. prison, with two of them receiving a reprieve. This decision was taken within the framework of Cambodian law which sanctions the human trafficking. In a country where poverty is pervasive, these women find themselves trapped in desperate situations, selling their ability to be mothers to wealthy foreigners seeking motherhood.
A brutal and uncertain return
After being pardoned, the thirteen Filipino women returned to their country, but their return was not without concern. Born and unborn children find themselves facing uncertainty, with calls to consider options such as adoption. Nicholas Felix Ty, Philippine Undersecretary for Justice, noted that these babies could be considered wards of the nation if mothers are not able to take care of them.
The role of traffickers
In the background, the traffickers continue to rage. According to the Cambodian authorities, the agency responsible for recruitment operates from Thailand and would mainly target Chinese customers, but also Australian and American couples. With surrogacy costs in Cambodia barely exceeding €10,000, compared to more than €100,000 in the United States, the attractiveness of this practice remains strong for desperate couples.
An alarming trend in Southeast Asia
Despite the ban on surrogacy in 2016, Cambodia continues to position itself as a nerve center for this trade. Other incidents illustrate the persistence of this practice, with recent cases of illegal clinics and dismantling of similar networks. Surrogate mothers are sometimes released with the condition that they keep their child, a situation that raises heartbreaking ethical questions.
Laos, the new Eldorado of surrogacy
Faced with all these tensions, Laos has become the new El Dorado of surrogacy, where clinics compete to attract surrogate mothers and clients. The observation is bitter: women, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, are involved in a system that exploits them under the cover of dreams of motherhood for others. These structures present their services online, displaying “surrogacy packages at the lowest prices”, thus attracting couples from all over the world.
In this climate where greed and exploitation coexist, it is imperative to raise public awareness of the abuses linked to surrogacy. The voices of women trapped by these inequitable systems must be heard to hope for lasting change in this controversial practice.
FAQ on the dismantling of a network of Filipino surrogacy mothers in Cambodia
What is the current situation of surrogacy in Cambodia? Surrogacy is officially prohibited in Cambodia since 2016, but clandestine networks continue to operate in the country.
How many women were arrested as part of this dismantling? Recently, 24 women were arrested, including 20 Philippines And 4 Vietnamese, for acting as surrogate mothers.
How did this dismantling operation take place? The police conducted a raid in a villa in Kandal province, where the women were staying.
What was the punishment for arrested surrogate mothers? The thirteen women who were tried were sentenced to four years in prison, two of which were suspended, for human trafficking.
What happened to the women deported to their country of origin? The eleven deported women were not yet pregnant and were sent back to the Philippines without knowing the fate of the born or unborn children.
Why is there a high demand for surrogacy mothers in Cambodia? Couples looking to become parents are attracted by very competitive prices, much lower than those in countries like the United States.
How do the Cambodian authorities perceive this trafficking? The authorities are aware that clandestine surrogacy persists, despite the laws in place, and are fighting against these criminal networks.
Are there other countries involved in the surrogacy market? Yes, the Laos is today considered a new Eldorado for surrogacy, attracting clients from various countries.