PHNOM PENH, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Monday celebrated the 16th National Anti-Human Trafficking Day, with approximately 3,000 participants.

Speaking at the event held at the capital's Diamond Island, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng said the celebration was to show the spirit of solidarity against human trafficking and modern slavery and to promote respect for human rights.

"The celebration is also to express our strong commitment and efforts to combat all forms of human trafficking for the country's safety, security and development," he said.

Kheng, who is also chairman of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT), said the NCCT has worked hard with all concerned parties to combat human trafficking and will continue its work to prevent all kinds of human trafficking.

The Southeast Asian country had rescued at least 865 foreigners from human trafficking and forced labor in 87 cases from January to August 2022, the NCCT said, adding that some 60 alleged traffickers had been sent to court for prosecution.

According to the NCCT, those foreigners were deceived via social media to cross borders illegally into Cambodia, with the promise of high-paying jobs, but they were forced to work at illegal online gambling companies.