LIBRARY

1 April 2004

Cambodian children love to study, but Cambodia lacks schools, teachers and materials. Poverty and corruption force most students, especially female students, to drop out before finishing secondary school. In many families, children play an important role in family survival, helping with various tasks such as farming, picking through garbage, and selling. Cambodian children are also vulnerable to abuses such as the worst forms of child labour, domestic violence, rape and trafficking.

25 March 2004

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 17 local human rights NGOs, welcomes the decision on March 19, 2004, by Phnom Penh Municipal Court judge Hing Thirith, to dismiss charges against two men accused of killing union leader Chea Vichea. According to information received by CHRAC, judge Hing Thirith decided to drop the charges against Born Samnang, 23, and Sok Sam Oeun, 36, who were arrested on 27 and 28 January 2004 because his investigation had not uncovered sufficient evidence that they were involved in the January 22 murder of Chea Vichea. Hing Thirith also noted irregularities in supposed confessions made in the case, and CHRAC investigation indicated major differences between witness testimony and these supposed confessions. The above judge's decision is a step towards the independence of the judiciary.

11 March 2004

At 10:00 Morning, the Phnom Penh municipal court opened a trial to try Sam Doeun and his partner Nhim Sophea, who committed intentional killings on October 27,2003. CHRAC welcomes the court opening the hearing to try Nhim Sophea.CHRAC believes that the court should not open the trial in the criminal case in secret. CHRAC appeal to all levels of the courts to ensure transparency, respect the equality of the law and freedom to access to public information so that the people trust the Cambodian Judicial system.

5 March 2004

In every city, town and village in Cambodia, women and girls are subjected to rape and sexual abuse with little chance of obtaining justice, and with few rehabilitation services to help them recover. Instead, victims are often blamed, mocked or rejected by their families and communities and must endure the pain, shame and anger on their own while the perpetrators go unpunished. “Sadly, March 8th, International Women’s Day, is like any other day in Cambodia - a day when countless Cambodian women and girls will be raped and sexually abused,” says Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO. “Their lives will be destroyed, while many of their abusers will live freely without punishment.”

1 March 2004

LICADHO took the occasion of International Women`s Day to release this report, which details problems related to prosecution of rape in the Cambodian legal system, as well as the challenges victims face.

12 February 2004

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 17 local NGOs, appeals for the release of Born Sam Nang and Sok Sam Oeun, who were arrested and detained for the January 22 murder of union leader Chea Vichea. CHRAC believes there is inadequate evidence against the suspects and their arrests did not follow lawful procedures.

22 January 2004

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) deplores the killing of union leader Chea Vichea this morning, and demands swift action by the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. Chea Vichea, President of the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was shot dead at approximately 9:30 AM while reading a newspaper at a newstand on Street 51 near Wat Lanka in Phnom Penh. An unidentified gunman walked up to him and shot him three times, before escaping with an accomplice who had been waiting on a motorcycle.

22 December 2003

LICADHO released a report documenting the increase of attacks in which the perpetrator pours acid on the victim, causing serious disfigurement. LICADHO called for stronger action to punish and prevent such acid attacks.

19 December 2003

LICADHO welcomed charges brought against two U.S. citizens in courts in the United States for alleged fraud while arranging adoptions of Cambodian children. LICADHO hoped that such investigations would deter abuses during the adoption process.

15 December 2003

Following the deportation of 11 Montagnard asylum seekers, CHRAC urged the government to allow asylum claims to be determined through a fair and transparent process. Given the strong possibility that Montagnards would face persecution in Vietnam, Cambodia is required under the Refugee Convention not to forcibly deport them.

15 December 2003

CHRAC urged the Cambodian government to grant permission to two organizations to organize a rally to celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day, despite indications from the government that permission would not be granted.

1 December 2003

In this report, the Neutral and Impartial Committee on Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (NICFEC), releases its final evaluation of whether the July 2003 National Assembly Elections in Cambodia were free and fair.

1 December 2003

This briefing paper provides the most recent update on the nature and extent of threats facing human rights defenders in Cambodia.

1 December 2003

Throwing acid is one of the worst crimes that a person can commit. The perpetrator usually does not want to kill the victim, but wants to do something worse than murder - make the victim suffer forever. Acid melts human flesh and even bones, causing excruciating pain and terror, and leaves the victims mutilated and scarred for the rest of their lives. Some suffer permanent disabilities such as blindness.

In this report LICADHO explores the increase in the use of acid in attacks and documents the reasons for its use.

30 November 2003

CAMBOW announced that it would hold activities in Phnom Penh and three provinces as part of the International 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.

23 October 2003

CHRAC expressed concern about tension and security in Cambodia following the shooting of popular singer Touch Sunich, which followed only a few days after the murder of a radio station editor.

22 October 2003

CHRAC urged the Appeal Court to review the decision of the trial of Ngoun Oun in connection to the killing of Khuon Dina, saying that the court's conduct in the trial appeared to reflect bias in favor of the alleged perpetrator.

21 October 2003

CHRAC expressed concern about the Prime Minister's request for the release of five customs officials who had been arrested in conection to a drug trafficking case, saying that the Prime Minister's actions interfered with the independence of the judiciary.

18 October 2003

CHRAC denounced the murder of Chhuor Chhetharith, Ta Prohm radio station editor, by two men on a motorbike. CHRAC expressed concern that the killing would intimidate the Cambodian press.

20 August 2003

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) strongly condemns the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Iraq which killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 100 innocent people.