LIBRARY

21 September 2007

The LICADHO Women's Rights Office (based in Phnom Penh) developed and implemented the Pilot Project in eight villages in Ang Snoul District, Kandal Province from December 2005 - May 2007. The project was designed to promote ownership of women's rights by equipping women in these communities with the practical knowledge, strategies and resources for them to prevent and seek redress for domestic violence, rape and trafficking violations.

31 July 2007

During the wet season in Cambodia, many people suffer from the notorious dengue virus, a virus which is carried by mosquitoes that thrive in the waters that collect during the wet season. For many people, escaping the virus means vigilantly covering up and closing windows or doors; however for women and children living literally behind prison bars, this is very difficult to do. Thanks to an extremely generous donation from the Women's International Group (WIG), LICADHO was able to distribute blankets and mosquito nets to 664 minor prisoners, pregnant women and children living in 14 Cambodian prisons.

31 July 2007

"Before, a husband would beat his wife and children, now he just insults them..." chilling yet sobering words from a woman surveyed by LICADHO's Women's Rights Office (WRO) following the end of its pilot project in Kandal Province, which aimed to educate the community on violence against women issues.

2 March 2007

Historically, Cambodians have suffered through a culture of violence perpetuated by the Khmer Rouge regime and other political groups. The impact of this violence continues to affect many people within Cambodia. One of the most vulnerable affected groups are the women of Cambodia. Violence against women - particularly in the form of domestic violence, rape, and human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation - is one of the most serious human rights problems in Cambodia.

Although Cambodia is beginning to recognize the significance of violence against women, the extent of the Government's willingness to educate the judiciary, the police and the public on these issues, and to implement laws and policies that prevent such violence and protect victims, is still quite limited.

23 February 2007

Commissioned artwork for a women's right training offered to communities on domestic violence and trafficking.

30 January 2007

This report aims to provide an intimate look at the real living conditions faced by Cambodian prisoners. By drawing from first hand accounts of prisoners and from the observations and reports of LICADHO prison researchers, this report is told in the first person using a fictional identity to protect anonymity. It provides supplementary statistical information for relevant issues.

It is hoped that this report will be used by government and prison officials, human rights advocates, researchers, media, aid donors and legal professionals as a tool to identify existing problems, improve prison conditions and promote prisoners' rights. This report builds on previous reports from the past 10 years, as well as considering new information gathered over the course of 2005 and the first ten months of 2006.

This report also highlight an urging problem that needs to be addressed: children in prisons, both prisoners and those living with their sentenced mothers.

21 November 2006

Domestic violence in Cambodia is an insidious problem that physically, mentally and emotionally scars its victims. Cambodian society holds many moral and traditional cultural codes that enforce the belief that women should keep their family problems private. As a consequence, Cambodian women suffering from domestic violence will normally not discuss their problems with outside parties, believing that problems within the marriage should stay private.

The endemic problem of domestic violence in Cambodia will be the focus of the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence 2006. The campaign will be launched at a press conference organized by the Cambodian Committee of Women (CAMBOW). The press conference will be held at the offices of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), on Friday, 24 November 2006, at 10:00am.

11 August 2006

A slideshow presentation on Human Rights situation in Cambodia 2006.

16 March 2006

In celebration of International Women's Day on 8 March 2006, representatives from the Prison Project Office of LICADHO together with representatives from the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) visited CC2, PJ and Takmao prisons to distribute material assistance to female prisoners and female guards.

1 January 2006

Whilst violence against women in Cambodia is a difficult issue to accurately quantify, it is clear that it is a serious problem and there are an increasing number of reports of domestic violence, rape and trafficking. Although Cambodia is beginning to recognize the significance of these issues the extent of the government's willingness to educate the judiciary, the police and the public on these issues is still very limited.

Cambodia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1992 and since then there has been insufficient action undertaken by the government to implement the principles contained in the convention. Most notably the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) passed the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Protection of Victims in September 2005 and a draft Law on Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation is currently being reviewed by law-makers. However the RGC's progress in reducing/eliminating violence against women since 1992 has been slow and often inadequate.

26 May 2005

A slideshow presentation on the situation of women in Cambodia.

22 March 2005

In celebration of International Women's Day, LICADHO Women's Rights office conducted activities focusing on Women's Rights as Human Rights highlighting legal and social challenges in Phnom Penh and the provinces.

10 March 2005

Cambodian women and children are facing a rising tide of sex crimes and urgent action is needed to stop abuse, a rights group warned on Monday.

Rape and indecent assault cases have risen steadily in recent years, and many of the victims are children, some as young as four years old, local human rights group Licadho said ahead of International Woman's Day on Tuesday.

24 December 2004

According to CHRAC’s investigation, police from the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department (DAHTJP) raided the Chai Hour II hotel on December 7, 2004. The police acted under the direction of Phnom Penh deputy chief prosecutor Mr Siem Sok Aun, who had issued a search warrant for the hotel following a complaint and a request made by the DAHTJP. After searching the premises, the deputy prosecutor and the police arrested and detained 7 suspects (5 men and 2 women), who were later released without approval from the deputy chief prosecutor.

CHRAC understands that the initial actions taken by the DAHTJP were correct and under the direction of the prosecutor Mr Siem Sok Aun. Therefore, CHRAC urges the Ministry of Interior to review whether the subsequent release of the 7 suspects complied with correct legal procedure.

2 December 2004

On December 1, 2004, the Queen of Cambodia, along with more than 700 others, attended a drama about domestic violence at the Chenla Theatre in the National Cultural Center. The performance was sold out and organizers had to turn away over 200 people.

The Queen stayed until the end of the drama and gave a generous donation of $5,000 to the 16 Days Campaign against Violence against Women. She made a speech strongly supporting women and children, appealed to end violence against women and children, and urged the government and people to support women and children in Cambodia.

30 November 2004

As part of the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence 2004, the Cambodian Committee of Women (CAMBOW), in cooperation with Ministry of Women’s Affairs, will organize an educational drama on domestic violence in Phnom Penh and produce a video case-study to be shown in all 24 Cambodian provinces in order to raise awareness of domestic violence and demonstrate the need for the adoption of the draft Law on Domestic Violence.

1 November 2004

Presentation providing an overview of the background, structure and activities of the Cambodian League for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights (LICADHO). Includes information on human rights problems in Cambodia and the responses to these problems by each of LICADHO's six program offices.

11 August 2004

A uniformed soldier, accompanied by two civilians, arrived at LICADHO's Phnom Penh office yelling and screaming. According to the soldier's wife, who was in one of LICADHO's office with her 3 children, the soldier, who had a history of alcoholism and aggressive behaviour, had sent his 17 year old stepdaughter a love letter and then attempted to rape her.

22 July 2004

France and Japan are the two biggest donors to Cambodia. In this photo, the President of LICADHO, Dr. Kek Galabru, participates in a working breakfast at the residence of the French Ambassador, Yvon Roé D'Albert. Also present are the French Minister of Tourism, Leon Bertrand during his official trip to Asia; Mrs. Roé D'Albert; and Caroline Bakker, Head of Children in Need of Special Protection at UNICEF. France has been very willing to help stop sexual exploitation by tourists.

1 July 2004

Report portraying the social life of women in Cambodia and problems some of them are facing in diverse sectors such as education and equality in law. The report includes recommendations for actions that can be taken to improve the situation of women in Cambodia.