Press Release: 2002

December 26, 2002 - CHRAC called for a transparent investigation into the use of force against community representatives requesting a workshop on forestry management plans. CHRAC also opposed moves by the government to suspend Global Witness' role as Forest Crimes Monitor.

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December 11, 2002 - CHRAC invited supporters of human rights to the trial of Khmer Rouge commander Sam Bith, who ordered an attack on a train carrying foreigners, who were taken hostage and later killed.

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December 9, 2002 - CHRAC stressed the need for an independent, impartial and credible tribunal to try Khmer Rouge leaders following an agreement between the U.N. and the Cambodian government outlining the composition of the Tribunal.

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November 28, 2002 - CAMBOW announced a march through Phnom Penh to denounce violence against women, especially rape and domestic violence. The march was held to launch the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

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October 8, 2002 - CAMBOW requested that a clause in the draft Domestic Violence Law, specifically allowing men to rape their wives, be removed. CAMBOW also raised concerns about other clauses in the law.

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August 6, 2002 - CHRAC opposed the decision by the Ministry of Information to suspend publication of Moneaseka Khmer because of a provocative article, saying that the suspension threatens freedom of the press in Cambodia.

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July 12, 2002 - CHRAC expressed its support of press freedoms following the detention of a journalist who provided information about the controversial issue of immigration.

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May 7, 2002 - Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, a coalition of 18 local NGOs, is deeply concerned by the recent attack and beating of the Global Witness coordinator in Cambodia which appears to be a deliberate act of intimidation designed to deter Global Witness's work to monitor compliance with Cambodia's logging laws and government policies, including to report on violations of the current logging ban. laws in Cambodia.

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March 8, 2002 - Urgent action is needed by the government, police and courts to tackle the growing problem of human trafficking, according to the Cambodian Committee of Women (CAMBOW), a coalition of 33 local NGOs working on women’s issues. International Women’s Day: March 8, is not only a day of celebration for the progress women throughout the world, but also a day of solidarity for women to assert their political, economic, and social rights.

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March 1, 2002 - CHRAC expressed concern that the agreement between UNHCR and th Cambodian and Vietnamese governments failed to respect the Montagnard refugees' right to return voluntarily.

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February 21, 2002 - The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 local NGOs, would like to express its understanding of and support for the United Nations decision to withdraw from the current process of establishing a tribunal for the Khmer Rouge. For the past four years we have watched carefully the difficulties the UN has faced in dealing with the Cambodian Government over the establishment of a tribunal which will meet internationally accepted standards of justice. Nevertheless, we, and the Cambodian people in general, are deeply saddened and disappointed by the loss of hope for justice with regard to this terrible period in our recent history. The following are among our reasons for sadness at the loss of the prospect of a credible tribunal:

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