LIBRARY

6 February 2003

CHRAC and others expressed regret over the impact of the anti- Thai riots on Cambodia's economy and diplomatic relations. It also noted with concern the effect of the riots on the democratic process before the July 2003 elections.

4 February 2003

Following the anti- Thai riots of January 29th, 2003, CHRAC called on the Cambodian government to release Mom Sonando, Director of Beehive radio. CHRAC emphasized that his arrest was groundless and that proper legal procedures had not been followed.

9 January 2003

CHRAC and others expressed strong support for holding a general election to select the Senate, opposing the idea of appointing the Senate as had been proposed by some parties who cited the government's budget constraints.

1 January 2003

CAMBOW held a public hearing at which domestic violence victims shared their experiences with key Senators and MPs. CAMBOW also raised several problems in the draft DV law, including a clause allowing a victim to be removed from her home in domestic violence complaints.

26 December 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.

11 December 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.

9 December 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.

28 November 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.

8 October 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.

6 August 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.

12 July 2002

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

7 May 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.

8 March 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.

1 March 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.

21 February 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:

4 December 2001

In honor of Human Rights Day, CHRAC outlined a series of reforms needed to improve the living conditions of Cambodian citizens: reduction of political violence, judicial reform, the reduction of corruption, and the resolution of land tenure problems, among others.

19 October 2001

CHRAC urged all citizens to use peaceful means to obtain political power and urged the government to respect the rights of suspects.

17 October 2001

CHRAC expressed it concern over the denial of certain legal rights to members of the Cambodia Freedom Fighters, rights which are guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution.

14 September 2001

CHRAC expressed its sympathy with the victims, families of the victims, and the people of the United States following the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

28 August 2001

CHRAC urged the government to take action to curb the increasing political violence in the run- up to the February 2002 Commune Elections.