300:
land concessions. Insecurity of land tenure (due to a widespread lack of formal land titles), almost complete impunity for abusers of land rights, and weak law enforcement have all further contributed to forced land evictions, illegal land grabs and land disputes. The weak, marginalized and vulnerable very seldom come out on top. Often, individuals challenging land claims by powerful business interests are met with harassment, judicial and physical attacks, with perpetrators of land rights and other human rights abuses rarely held to account. CCHR supports land rights activists who are suffering from human rights violations, including through its HRD protection mechanism and fund.
330:
groups. In addition, according to
Article 12(2) of the HRD Declaration, the relevant authorities must protect HRDs from arrest, violence, threats, retaliation and any discrimination arising from their HRD activities, and the HRD Declaration emphasizes that HRDs ought to be protected under national law. However, the RGC has not developed any policies or independent mechanisms to protect HRDs, who continue to face threats, harassment and physical violence.
388:
for greater civic engagement, until 2009 and is currently a contributing author to Global Voices Online and Future
Challenges. Sopheap joined CCHR in late 2005 as an Advocacy Assistant, and later became an Advocacy Officer. In 2008, she left CCHR to continue her graduate studies in Japan and she rejoined CCHR in the middle of 2010 as the Executive Assistant, eventually becoming the Program Director in October 2011, leading to her current position.
375:
prison and the decriminalization of defamation in
Cambodia. In January 2014 until December 2014, he served as chair of the Board of Directors, during a year-long transition period when Chak Sopheap, one of Cambodia's pre-eminent female bloggers and a seasoned human rights and democracy activist, was appointed executive director and took over the day-to-day leadership of CCHR. Ou Virak then resigned from the board of directors in December 2014.
414:
Human Rights (CCHR). Prior to working at CCHR, Vanny was a trainer on a variety of subjects including community development; results-based management; gender concepts; gender sensitivity; proposal writing; strategic planning and project management. As the executive director for the local NGO, Khemara and also as a
National Coordinator on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
362:
present day, and former first vice-president of the
National Assembly from 2014 to 2015. CCHR was officially registered with the Ministry of Interior in October 2002 and launched on 12 November 2002 to promote and protect democracy and human rights in Cambodia. It has since been governed by an impressive Board of Directors who share a passion for human rights and Cambodia.
590:(βEUβ); the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law (βICNLβ); the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (βRFSUβ); the Fair, Green and Global Alliance at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Deutsche Gesellschaft fΓΌr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (βGIZβ); Canadian Journalists for Free Expression/International Freedom of Expression;
162:
36:
418:
international literary association based in London. From 2006 to 2008, Heng Sreang worked as a content reviewer and editor for the Center for Khmer
Studies in Phnom Penh. He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at the Free University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands.
413:
Prok Vanny is a member of the
Working Group for Peace and she also sits on the board of directors for a number of NGOs, including the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. Vanny was formerly a consultant for the Project to Promote Women's Political Representation in Cambodia, at the Cambodian Center for
387:
Sopheap holds two bachelor's degrees in
International Relations and Economics and a master's degree in International Peace Studies, which she completed at the International University of Japan. Sopheap also ran the Cambodian Youth Network for Change, which mobilized young activists around the country
347:
CCHR's work in this area is cross-cutting with its protecting fundamental freedoms work. Many of the HRDs now being threatened and judicially harassed are online activists, targeted in response to politically sensitive posts on
Facebook and Twitter. CCHR advocates against restrictive legislation and
338:
There is still a worrying lack of understanding of human rights among
Cambodians, including those in positions of power in the public, private and NGO sectors. Most importantly, there is a fundamental lack of awareness β whether willful or not β of international human rights law and its incorporation
252:
Despite clear protection for fundamental freedoms, including the rights to peaceful assembly, association and expression, in the UDHR, the ICCPR (as incorporated into Cambodian law) and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, these freedoms have been substantially restricted in Cambodia over the
320:
CCHR is also developing programs to work on ethnic and minority rights, focusing particularly on the disturbing trend towards anti-Vietnamese rhetoric and racism that has cast a shadow over Cambodia since the start of the political campaign for the 2013 National Assembly elections β an area in which
316:
Women in Cambodia continue to face considerable rights violations. Little effort has been made to end the culture of domestic abuse in Cambodia, and domestic violence and rape occur at high rates. While there is strong legislation in place to combat these issues, such as the Law on the Prevention of
230:
CCHR's vision is of a non-violent Cambodia in which all people can enjoy the fundamental human rights to which they are entitled, all are subject to the rule of law without impunity, all are treated equally without discrimination, all are empowered to participate fully in the democratic process, and
291:
day-to-day operations of garment factories. This is expanding to include the overall impact of business and investment on the human rights landscape in Cambodia at a time when domestic and international investment and development are booming in a country where the rule of law is severely lacking.
273:
In general, the Cambodian courts are seen to be non-independent, incompetent and biased. Politically motivated cases have been brought against opposition politicians, land-rights activists and those who speak out in defense of human rights. Conversely, those with government connections or positions
260:
CCHR's work in this area strives to address restrictions on and violations of fundamental freedoms encountered by Human Rights Defenders and peaceful protestors. It does so through awareness raising of instances of rights violations in order to engage decision-makers in judicial reform, advocating
421:
Sann Kalyan is a researcher and consultant specialising in human rights issues including land eviction, freedom of expression and freedom of information. Previously, she was an experienced researcher and Editor to Documentation Centre of Cambodia (βDCCamβ)'s monthly magazine. After leaving DCCam,
312:
CCHR is very well known for its work on SOGIE. For many years now it has run a highly effective SOGIE Project that promotes and protects the human rights of LGBTIQ people in Cambodia who currently face significant discrimination. It does so by supporting LGBTIQ activists and victims and empowering
299:
Land rights violations remain one of the most prominent and prevalent form of human rights violations in Cambodia. Despite protection of land rights under domestic and international law, large swathes of the country have been leased for commercial exploitation through notorious and opaque economic
396:
CCHR is governed according to its constitution and by-laws. It has a board of directors and a panel of Counselors β successful and influential individuals who have a passion for human rights and support CCHR's work. CCHR is managed day-to-day by the Management Committee, composed of the executive
329:
The UN Declaration on HRDs (the βHRD Declarationβ) reaffirms the right to promote and strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and the right to form, join and participate in NGOs, associations or
277:
The Law on the Organization and Functioning of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, and the Law on the Statute of Judges and Prosecutors (the βJudicial Lawsβ) grant excessive powers to the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Council of the Magistracy. There are grave concerns about the level of
361:
CCHR was founded in 2002 by Kem Sokha, a member of the National Assembly from 1993 to 1998, a member of the Senate from 1999 to 2002, leader of the Human Rights Party (the βHRPβ) from 2007, vice-president of the new opposition, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (the βCNRPβ), from 2012 until the
409:
Yun Mane, a graduate of the Royal University of Law and Economics, is the chair of the board of the Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association and a board member of the Organization to Promote Kui Culture. Mane spent three and a half years working with the United Nations Development Program Regional
374:
From April 2007 to December 2013 Ou Virak was CCHR President. He was the founder of the Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia, and in 2007 won the Reebok Human Rights Award for his earlier campaign to secure both the release of the previous President of CCHR, Kem Sokha, and others from
308:
While homosexuality is not criminalized in Cambodia, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (βLGBTIQβ) people have continued to report suffering from discrimination and abuse with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (βSOGIEβ), and there is as yet no
256:
The judicial system has also frequently been used to harass individuals critical of the RGC. Human Rights Defenders, journalists, union leaders, land rights activists and the political opposition are often subject to arrest, charges and imprisonment, including for incitement or criminal damage.
290:
CCHR's Business and Human Rights projects have historically worked towards the goal of achieving an increase in the demand of the public β in Cambodia and abroad β for the respect of human rights by garment factories operating in Cambodia and the incorporation of the GPs into the policies and
213:
CCHR was registered with the Ministry of Interior in October 2002 and officially launched on 12 November 2002. Since its foundation, CCHRβs emphasis has been on empowering communities, being the first NGO to facilitate βpublic forumsβ throughout Cambodia. These public forums were broadcast on
365:
They became the key project of CCHR's Community Empowerment Program (the βCEPβ). In December 2006, Kem Sokha and other civil rights leaders were arrested and imprisoned for allegedly defaming the Royal Government of Cambodia (the βRGCβ). They were released after a campaign led by CCHR's next
417:
Heng Sreang is an independent researcher, currently working as a lecturer and undergraduate student advisor at PaΓ±Γ±ΔsΔstra University of Cambodia since 2004. In addition to teaching and researching, Heng Sreang is also the President of PEN Cambodia and a volunteer for PEN International, an
286:
Many of the human rights violations occurring in Cambodia result from the activities and operations of private sector actors. Since Cambodia has traditionally had a predominantly rural population and a small-scale agricultural economy, many poor and vulnerable communities are now being
383:
Chak Sopheap has been the executive director of CCHR since March 2014. As one of the country's most prominent human rights advocates, her work has been recognized by United States President Barack Obama, as well as by Cambodian civil society and the Cambodian people.
574:. For example, CCHR is a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (βIFEXβ), the global network for freedom of expression, the World Organization Against Torture (βOMCTβ), SOS-Torture Network, and of the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (βSEAPAβ).
339:
into Cambodian domestic law by the Cambodian judiciary. There is also an urgent need for human rights discourse to be depersonalized, with human rights viewed as a conversation topic that is respectable and inspiring rather than dirty and subversive.
269:
CCHR is widely respected for its expertise in legal analysis, both of judicial hearings β with the continual breaches of fair trial rights and due process β and of new and pending repressive legislation which infringe upon human rights.
422:
she worked as research assistant/researcher for a number of international organisations including Human Rights Watch and Internews Europe. She has a master's degree in International Museum Studies from GΓΆteborg University, Sweden.
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against repressive laws such as the Law on Associations and NGOs (βLANGOβ) and the Trade Union Law, and by increasing public demand for the realization of fundamental freedoms in Cambodia nationally and internationally.
221:
CCHR's core focus areas include protecting fundamental freedoms; judicial and legislative reform; equality and discrimination; business and human rights; and political participation, rights and reform.
558:
CCHR is managed day to day by the Management Committee, composed of the Executive Director, Chak Sopheap, the Finance Director, Khan Kalina, and the Program Director, Chor Chanthyda.
566:
CCHR is informally affiliated to and cooperates with a number of national, regional and international organizations. These relationships strengthen its work to promote and protect
321:
CCHR established a principled and authoritative voice in the aftermath of the 2013 elections β as well as on the rights of the beleaguered Khmer Krom minority in southern Vietnam.
218:(βVODβ), a radio program established by CCHR in 2003. In June 2007 the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (βCCIMβ) was founded to operate VOD as an independent radio station.
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influence that the Ministry of Justice now has over judges and prosecutors, violating the principle of the separation of powers and thereby undermining judicial independence.
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To promote and protect respect for democracy and human rights β primarily civil and political rights, for the benefit of all those living in Cambodia.
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Sopheal Ear, an assistant professor at the US Naval Postgraduate School's Department of National Security Affairs. He has experience working for the
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Indigenous People Program and two years as a Program Officer with the International Labour Organization Support to Indigenous Peoples Project.
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on post-conflict countries and specializes in Southeast Asia. Sophal received his Ph.D. in political science from the
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Domestic Violence and the Protection of Victims 2005,44 cases of domestic violence and rape very rarely go to trial.
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478:
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537:, a British international criminal defence lawyer who has represented clients in the United Kingdom, the
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The CCHR also has a group of Counsellors β successful and influential individuals who have a passion for
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director, Chak Sopheap, the Finance Director, Khan Kalina, and the Senior Researcher, Chor Chanthyda.
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issues. The white bird flying out of a circle of sky blue on the logo of the organization symbolizes
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of authority have enjoyed impunity, even when they have been linked to serious criminal offenses.
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715:"Registration Letter of the Royal Government of Cambodia', Ministry of Interior, 3 October 2002"
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732:"Awardee Ou Virak β "We are trying to change the law"', Reebok Human Rights Foundation, 2007"
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anti-hate crime legislation prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of SOGIE.
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all can share in the benefits of Cambodia's ongoing economic development.
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Information and Communications Technology (βICTβ) and Digital Rights
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798:"Board of Directors (PDF), Cambodian Center for Human Rights"
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disenfranchised and marginalized by such rapid development.
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Media attention, direct-appeal campaigns, research, lobbying
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Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) Facebook Group
817:
750:"Remarks by the President at Clinton Global Initiative"
691:"Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011"
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from 1994 to 2001 and former chief correspondent in
348:trains HRDs in the use of ICT tools and protocols.
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584:United States Agency for International Development
838:Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) YouTube
833:Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) Twitter
543:International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia
313:them to advocate for their own human rights.
8:
858:Human rights organisations based in Cambodia
19:
25:
539:International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
18:
529:United Nations Correspondents Association
461:, an author and broadcaster, Director of
435:and support the CCHR's work - including:
823:Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)
781:"Constitution and By-Laws', CCHR, 2002"
657:
175:mochchhomondal setthimnoussa kampouchea
16:Cambodian non-governmental organization
531:lifetime achievement award (2003); and
525:Business Council of the United Nations
523:25-Year Achievement Award (1998), the
7:
818:Cambodia Human Rights Portal (Sithi)
449:United Nations Development Programme
666:"Cambodian Center for Human Rights"
453:University of California, Berkeley
186:that works to promote and protect
14:
527:Korn Ferry Award (1998), and the
405:The Board of Directors includes:
295:Land and Natural Resources Rights
282:Business and Human Rights (βBHRβ)
150:Cambodian Center for Human Rights
20:Cambodian Center for Human Rights
202:and on a variety of interlinked
34:
463:Prison Fellowship International
325:Human Rights Defenders (βHRDsβ)
248:Protecting Fundamental Freedoms
582:The CCHR's donors include the
547:Special Court for Sierra Leone
475:Christian Solidarity Worldwide
1:
853:Cambodian democracy movements
184:non-governmental organization
562:Affiliations and Cooperation
465:, executive director of the
163:ααααααααααα·αααα·ααα»αααααααα»ααΆ
27:ααααααααααα·αααα·ααα»αααααααα»ααΆ
499:, a journalist and author,
304:Equality and Discrimination
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200:civil and political rights
198:. It focuses primarily on
481:βs policy study group on
479:Centre for Social Justice
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621:Human rights in Cambodia
592:Open Society Foundations
473:, Honorary President of
445:Asian Development Bank
334:Human Rights Education
210:βs quest for freedom.
48:; 21 years ago
578:Donors and Supporters
485:, and former British
366:President, Ou Virak.
631:Politics of Cambodia
554:Management Committee
515:, and winner of the
503:bureau chief at the
487:Member of Parliament
141:www.cchrcambodia.org
132:(Executive Director)
46:3 October 2002
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501:The New York Times
477:, Chairman of the
401:Board of directors
216:Voice of Democracy
767:National Archives
517:George Polk Award
497:Barbara Crossette
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738:on 2009-05-09.
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519:(1991), The
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180:non-partisan
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130:Chak Sopheap
110:human rights
646:Ros Sopheap
626:Khmer Rouge
427:Counsellors
194:throughout
108:Protecting
847:Categories
762:2016-06-21
700:2016-06-21
676:2021-01-04
604:Action Aid
513:South Asia
441:World Bank
392:Governance
125:Key people
92:Phnom Penh
75:Non-profit
53:2002-10-03
641:Kem Sokha
521:Silurians
357:Kem Sokha
188:democracy
169:romanized
65:Kem Sokha
636:Ou Virak
616:Cambodia
610:See also
596:Diakonia
572:Cambodia
545:and the
455:in 2006.
447:and the
370:Ou Virak
208:Cambodia
196:Cambodia
105:Services
96:Cambodia
85:Location
352:History
235:Mission
178:) is a
171::
137:Website
61:Founder
51: (
43:Founded
602:, and
541:, the
471:Europe
443:, the
226:Vision
116:Fields
801:(PDF)
784:(PDF)
718:(PDF)
652:Notes
158:Khmer
511:and
489:and
154:CCHR
148:The
71:Type
570:in
469:in
79:NGO
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
