Human Rights Monitoring Officeinvestigations, support and protection
Human rights abuses in Cambodia are widespread, creating sizeable challenges for human rights groups. Without a prevailing rule of law and a corrupt judiciary, the rich and powerful prey upon the poor and the weak, committing acts of violence, seizing property, and infringing on the rights of others with impunity.
Land grabbing is a tragic and widespread human rights issue in Cambodia with an estimate quarter of a million people affected by forced evictions since 2003. While civil and political rights are enshrined in Cambodia's Constitution, most people are unable to fully exercise these rights in reality. Freedom of speech and assembly are regularly curtailed on spurious grounds, while killings of political opponents, grassroots activists and members of the press persist. Far more common, but with a cumulatively similar impact, is a pattern of threats and interference in the activity of people at the village level, where over 80% of Cambodia's population live. In addition to politically-motivated rights abuses, here a host of crimes - rape, human trafficking, physical assaults and arbitrary arrests - are regularly committed with impunity.
What we do
In response to these issues, the Human Rights Monitoring Office has taken a unique, holistic approach to assisting victims. The Office's activities include:
- Identifying rights violations from victims, witnesses and the media
- Responding to these abuses by assisting the victim with legal intervention (requesting the police or prosecutor to investigate the case) or referring the victim to another non-governmental organization providing similar legal services
- Helping strengthen and empower grassroots activist networks to ensure sustainable human rights change by strengthening activism at the community level
- Following up cases with authorities to ensure relevant steps are taken to investigate and prosecute the perpetrator
- When necessary, appealing to the President of the Court to take action or taking cases to yet higher levels such as the Ministry of Justice or the Supreme Council of Magistracy
- Raising the human rights agenda in the media, including accompanying victims on radio shows to discuss their experiences and providing relevant information to the media
- Referring children and women victims to the Children's Rights Monitoring Office and the Women's Rights Monitoring Office
- Coordinating the provision of first aid, counseling, food and other basic material support for victims through the Medical Office and Social Work Office
- Working in collaboration with the Advocacy, Resource and Documentation Office to maintain the human rights violations database
- Working on advocacy activities with other NGOs, coalitions and relevant government authorities by producing reports on human rights violations and providing recommendations to the government on legislation
