Nearly 500 Children Jailed In Cambodia

1, 2007 10:53 a.m. EST
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Correspondent

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (AHN) - Cambodian rights group Licadho on Wednesday revealed fresh statistics from the country's prison system that show almost 500 children under the age of 18 are currently languishing in Cambodia's overcrowded prisons. The group said the child detainees were deprived of their basic needs and subject to physical and sexual abuse.

The report was compiled by Licadho in cooperation with the Cambodian Defenders Project and the Danish charity DanChurchAid. It said the exact number of children in various prisons in the country totaled 452, nearly double the figure in 2001.

There were also 37 children under the age of six, as well as 22 infants, living with their incarcerated mothers, where their basic needs are being ignored, the group said.

Licadho said in its report, "Children who are currently living in prison lack nutrition, provisions and education vital for proper development. In addition, children are subjected to physical dangers when housed with offenders who have committed serious crimes and are also at risk of mistreatment by the guards."

The report, a result of a four-month survey, comments on widespread undernourishment, corruption and sexual or physical abuse inside the prison system.

"Sexual assaults are likely to be seriously underreported, due to coercion, feelings of shame and other psychological factors," the report said.

"The possibility of sexual assault, rape or other physical abuse remains high, particularly in prisons where women are guarded by men."

Prisoners were only given an estimated 38 U.S. cents per day for their medical and food requirements. This minimal amount has resulted in a rising number of prison deaths, which doubled in 2005, the group said.