OHCHR in Cambodia (2006-2007)

Background

 
The Office was established in 1993 following the withdrawal of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia . Its mandate and that of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia derive from the Commission on Human Rights Resolution 1993/6 and combine monitoring, protection and public reporting functions with technical assistance and advisory services. A Memorandum of Understanding between the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Royal Government of Cambodia for the implementation of a technical cooperation programme on human rights was renewed in January 2005 for a two-year period.

The current Special Representative was appointed in November 2005. He is the fourth Special Representative appointed by the Secretary-General since 1993. The Office assists the Special Representative in the discharge of his mandate and facilitates his missions to Cambodia .

The Office responds to immediate protection issues while helping to strengthen national institutions to implement policies, laws and practices that uphold Cambodia 's Constitution, its international human rights commitments and the rule of law. The Office works with all branches of Government, as well as with non-governmental and community based organizations and groups. Its promotion and protection programmes are closely interlinked, ensuring that technical cooperation activities are well grounded and address problems identified through the monitoring work.

The priorities of the Office include documenting and responding to reports of serious violations of human rights, enabling non-governmental and civil society advocacy organizations to work in a safe environment, contributing to efforts to establish accountable public institutions and a professional judiciary with recognized integrity, as well as to the lawful management of land and natural resources for the benefit of Cambodia's people. The Office participates in the work of United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and in Technical Working Groups on land and legal and judicial reform established as part of the consultative process between the Government and donor agencies.

Most OHCHR Cambodia staff is based at the main office in Phnom Penh , with a small presence in a regional office in Battambang. The Office has two sources of funding: the regular budget of the United Nations and a separate trust fund for Cambodia. 
 

2006-2007 Programme

During the 2006-2007 biennium, the Office assists the Special Representative in carrying out his mandate.

The Office documents and responds to selected cases of violations of human rights. It addresses problems faced by human rights defenders in their work, promotes better understanding of their role, and works for the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

The Office focuses on promoting the full enjoyment of freedom of association, assembly and expression in Cambodia . To this end, it monitors and advises on relevant draft laws on freedom of information, peaceful assembly and association.

The Office works with others to promote an environment conducive to legitimate political activity and monitors the general environment for the conduct of the commune council elections in April 2007.

The Office assists in efforts to establish a professional and impartial judiciary and for the adoption and enactment of laws that make up the basic legal framework consistent with Cambodia 's Constitution and international human rights norms.

The Office continues its project to combat impunity. It monitors the trials of senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge and others most responsible for the crimes committed under the Democratic Kampuchea regime. It addresses continuing patterns of impunity and advocates for measures that must be taken to end them.

The Office works to secure the human rights and livelihoods of rural populations and indigenous peoples, focusing on implementation of relevant provisions of the 2001 Land Law and continued study and documentation of the award and impact of economic land concessions on the human rights of affected local populations.

The Office works to increase understanding and adherence to international human rights instruments and treaties, including through public outreach programmes, training, follow up on concluding observations and recommendations of treaty bodies and ratification of individual communications procedures. The Office also cooperates with the special procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The Office engages in joint programming initiatives within the UNCT, in accordance with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2006-2010. It works to integrate human rights into poverty-reduction and development programmes of the Government and development cooperation agencies.
 

Expected Accomplishments

 
Individuals, groups and associations are able to promote and protect human rights in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

An improved environment for the informed and meaningful participation of citizens in the conduct of political and public life.

A more professional and independent judiciary, trials that meet fair trial standards; basic laws in place consistent with international human rights norms and standards; treaties better understood and observed in law and practice.

Significant progress made to end impunity.

Enhanced respect for the human rights of rural populations and indigenous peoples through the lawful management of Cambodia 's natural resources and increased access to justice for the rural poor.

Human rights more fully operationalised and integrated into the work of the UNCT, as well as the National Strategic Plan for Development.