Human and Land Rights

Convicted Villager May Have Been the Victim of a Plot in a Case Involving Local Police Officers in Prey Veng Province

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

As the Prey Veng Provincial Court issued a judgment on 29 February 2012 in a case involving Chhorn Ny, a 47-year old villager, and local policemen, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is concerned about several issues regarding the case. Chhorn Ny was given a one-year suspended sentence and a one million riel fine for disorderly conduct and attempted assault on a police officer, but he may have been the victim of a plot.

Convicted Villager May Have Been the Victim of a Plot in a Case Involving Local Police Officers in Prey Veng Province Read More

Thailand Must Stop Using Disproportionate Force against Cambodian Loggers and Investigate All Killings

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is deeply concerned about the use of disproportionate force against Cambodian citizens crossing the border to perform illicit logging activities in Thailand. Eleven Cambodian loggers have lost their lives in the last two months, in what may amount to extrajudicial killings.

Thailand Must Stop Using Disproportionate Force against Cambodian Loggers and Investigate All Killings Read More

Cambodian Authorities Must Proceed with Investigation of Svay Rieng SEZ Shooting

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

After three female factory workers were shot on 20 February during a protest at Svay Rieng Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and despite official statements that a suspect was identified, no arrests have been announced so far. Interior Minister Sar Kheng, Provincial Governor Chieng Am and police officials now remain silent about investigation into the shooting.

Cambodian Authorities Must Proceed with Investigation of Svay Rieng SEZ Shooting Read More

Seven Borei Keila Residents Released but Still Face Criminal Charges based on a Protest Relating to their Forced Eviction

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) welcomes the release of seven Borei Keila residents, including two minors, who were arrested last month after a clash with armed forces, but is concerned about criminal charges brought against them, which may be used to silence opponents to illegal forced evictions.

Seven Borei Keila Residents Released but Still Face Criminal Charges based on a Protest Relating to their Forced Eviction Read More

ADHOC LETTER: ADHOC Provincial Coordinator Threatened with Charges of Defamation

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is deeply concerned about potential defamation charges being brought against Soum Chankea, its Provincial Coordinator in Banteay Meanchey province. On 9 February 2012, Soum Chankea was summoned by the Prosecutor’s office in Sisophon, following a complaint lodged by Oum Socheath, head of the Banteay Meanchey branch of the Cambodia Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and Coordinator of the UNDP-CMAC mine clearance program. […] Oum Socheath accuses Soum Chankea of defamation following ADHOC’s intervention in a gender-based violence case.

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ADHOC Provincial Coordinator Threatened with Charges of Defamation Following Intervention in Gender-Based Violence Case

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

ADHOC Provincial Coordinator Threatened with Charges of Defamation Following Intervention in Gender-Based Violence Case

Phnom Penh, 13 February 2012 ― The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is deeply concerned about potential defamation charges being brought against Soum Chankea, its Provincial Coordinator in Banteay Meanchey province. On 9 February 2012, Soum Chankea was summoned by Yin Sokuntheavy, Sisophon Sub-Prosecutor, following a complaint lodged by Oum Socheath, a CMAC (Cambodia Mine Action Centre) officer working in Banteay Meanchey province. The questioning will take place on 20 February 2012. The Prosecutor will then decide whether charges are officially brought against Soum Chankea. These include “slanderous denunciation,” an offense punishable by 1 month to 1 year in prison and a 100,000 to 2 million riels fine (article 311 of the Penal Code).Oum Socheath accuses Soum Chankea of defamation following ADHOC’s intervention in a gender-based violence case.

ADHOC Provincial Coordinator Threatened with Charges of Defamation Following Intervention in Gender-Based Violence Case Read More

Peaceful demonstration of Borey Keila and Boeung Kak residents cracked down by police in front of Phnom Penh City Hall

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

Over one hundred Borey Keila (BRL) and Boeung Kak Lake (BKL) residents who were peacefully protesting in front of Phnom Penh Municipality this morning were cracked down by approximately eighty police officers. The protesters began demonstrating at 8am and asked the Phnom Penh Governor to meet them face to face in order to discuss a solution to the Borey Keila and Boeung Kak issues. BKL residents demanded that City Hall officials help them to obtain a more significant compensation for their eviction. As for BRL residents, they asked the Municipality to allow them to continue living in their settlements, or if this was impossible then to intervene to ensure adequate compensation in case of eviction.

Peaceful demonstration of Borey Keila and Boeung Kak residents cracked down by police in front of Phnom Penh City Hall Read More

ADHOC Plays Important Role in organising National Consultation Workshop on Understanding of ASEAN and ASEAN Civil Society

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

Today in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) hosted the National Consultation Workshop on Understanding of ASEAN and ASEAN Civil Society with a view to preparing Cambodian civil society members for the upcoming ASEAN Summit 2012, to be hosted in Cambodia. ADHOC, currently chairing CHRAC, played a large role in coordinating this event. The consultation served to further educate Cambodian Civil Society on ASEAN, and to select members of seven committees that will be responsible for organising and facilitating the ACSC/APF 2012, which will take place alongside the ASEAN Leader Summit.

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Human Rights Program’s Objectives

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

The systemic lack of protection of human rights in Cambodia arises from long-standing impunity for human rights violations, very serious shortcomings in the rule of law and slow legal and judicial reform, with dramatic setbacks in press freedom, misuse of the judiciary to silence government critics, and imposition of strict new restrictions on peaceful protests. In a major step backwards, a new law on demonstrations passed in October 2009 bans public protests of more than 200 people, citing the need to safeguard “public order and security.” It also requires protest organizers to seek advance permission and bans protests in front of or inside government buildings and factories.

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Victims of Beng Kak refused to accept the Condo offered by the Municipal Authority

- by ADHOC- Cambodia

On June 28, 2011 ADHOC staff observed the protest in front of the EU office organized by 300 protesters of Bk residents.
The demonstration started on Friday June 24th and still continues on today.
The demonstrators representing 07 villages wanted to give a petition to the President of the European Unions (EU) claiming for a flat on the ground with the size of 4m×16m as a trade off for those who have small plot of land or small house.

Victims of Beng Kak refused to accept the Condo offered by the Municipal Authority Read More