Issue3: EXPLANATION OF RIGHTS

• Released Date: 08-Nov-2017
• Publication: Newsletter

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) has been conducting trial monitoring since 2009, to observe criminal trials in Cambodian courts and to assess their adherence to international and Cambodian fair trial standards. Since March 2013, CCHR’s Fair Trial Rights Project has been monitoring hearings in the Phnom Penh Appeal Court. This is the third in a series of quarterly newsletters that will analyse the findings of CCHR’s monitoring. The present newsletter focuses on the obligation for the Judges to inform the accused of the charges against him or her, and their duty to explain their right to legal representation or self-defense as well as their right to be silent in order to avoid self-incrimination.

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Issue 2: Quarterly Newsletter on Prisoner Uniform and the Presumption of Innocence

• Released Date: 05-Jun-2017
• Publication: Newsletter

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) has conducted trial monitoring since 2009 to observe criminal trials in Cambodian courts and to assess their adherence to international and Cambodian fair trial standards. Since March 2013 CCHR’s Fair Trial Rights Project has been monitoring hearings in the Phnom Penh Appeal Court. This is the second in a series of quarterly newsletters that will analyse the findings of CCHR’s monitoring.This issue focuses on implementation of the right to the presumption of innocence in relation to prisoner uniforms.

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Fact Sheet: Fair Trial Rights in Cambodia

• Released Date: 27-Mar-2017
• Publication: Newsletter

Fair Trial Rights that are enshrined in domestic and international law are not being effectively implemented in Cambodia. The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”) calls for the Royal Government of Cambodia (“RGC”) and the president of each court at all levels to take urgent action to ensure that these Fair Trial Rights are properly protected under domestic law and are being implemented in practice.

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Issue 1: A​​ Quarterly Newsletter on Rights to a Public Hearing - February 2017

• Released Date: 20-Feb-2017
• Publication: Newsletter

The Fair Trial Rights Project is a project run by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights ("CCHR"). The Project aims to improve the procedures and practices of courts in Cambodia, resulting in greater adherence to fair trial standards.

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Fact Sheet: The Right to Participate Actively in the Life of the Nation

• Released Date: 05-May-2014
• Publication: Newsletter

Important drafts laws relating to human rights have either been sent or are about to be sent to the National Assembly for adoption. However, none of the recent drafts has been published and no-consultations with civil society and the public in general have been organized, restricting the right to participate actively in the life of the nation and against all principles of good governance.

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Fact Sheet: Applicability of International Human Rights Law in Cambodia

• Released Date: 09-Jan-2014
• Publication: Newsletter

The Royal Government of Cambodia (the “RGC”) is obliged to respect a number of norms under international human rights law. It must comply with norms of Jus Cogens and customary international law and it is bound by international treaties and conventions it has ratified.

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Fact Sheet: Hierarchy of Laws in Cambodia

• Released Date: 09-Jan-2014
• Publication: Newsletter

Domestic legal instruments follow a specific hierarchy that needs to be complied with in order to respect the principle of rule of law. However, there have been instances where the Royal Government of Cambodia (“RGC”) bypasses this hierarchy and uses lower legal instruments to regulate fundamental human rights issues.

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Human Trafficking Trials in Cambodia in 2011 - January 2012

• Released Date: 20-Jan-2012
• Publication: Newsletter

Cambodian men, women, and children are trafficked for sexual and labor exploitation throughout South East Asia. In 2008, the Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation (the “LHTSE”) was introduced in an effort to increase the rate of successful prosecutions for human trafficking offenders in Cambodia.

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Issue 9: Prohibition Against Retroactive Application of Criminal Law: New Provisions of the Penal Code - December 2011

• Released Date: 12-Dec-2011
• Publication: Newsletter

In October 2009, the National Assembly approved a new penal code, which came into full force and effect in December 2010.The Penal Code of Cambodia (the “Penal Code”) is a code of criminal law consisting of 672 articles. It tacitly replaces laws from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period.

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Issue 8: The Right to a Public Hearing - November 2011

• Released Date: 29-Nov-2011
• Publication: Newsletter

Everyone has the right to have their guilt or innocence determined in a public trial, except in certain exceptional circumstances. This right is guaranteed under international law by Article 14(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“ICCPR”), as well as under domestic law by the Cambodian Criminal Procedure Code (“CCPC”).

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Issue 7: The Right to Legal Presentation - October 2011

• Released Date: 10-Oct-2011
• Publication: Newsletter

The right to legal representation is fundamental to ensuring a fair trial and is enshrined under the Constitution of Cambodia by virtue of its incorporation of, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the “ICCPR”), as well as under domestic law.

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Issue 6: The Right not to Be Compelled to Confess Guilt - July 2011

• Released Date: 26-Jun-2011
• Publication: Newsletter

The right not to be compelled to confess guilt encompasses the absolute prohibition​​ and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It includes that no direct or indirect physical or psychological pressure amounting to severe pain or suffering should be inflicted on an accused by’’the investigating or judicial authorities in order to’’secure a confession of guilt.

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