Cambodia's recent history has been colored by political and civil conflict. The wars of the Indochina region, followed by the Khmer Rouge regime, killed over twenty percent of Cambodia's population. Now, during this time of rebuilding, the people of Cambodia are working to redevelop land, educate their children, and become active members of this democratic society. They must have faith in the strength and accountability of the new government. This process is difficult, however, when Cambodian people's basic rights are violated by the government without hope of recourse.     

The Cambodian Constitution (1993) provides basic human rights and fundamental freedoms to every Cambodian citizen. Cambodia has ratified a large number of international human rights conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention against Torture, the Genocide Convention and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.  

Nevertheless, human rights violations are widespread in Cambodia. Between September 1999 and August 2000, ADHOC investigated almost 700 cases of human rights violations. Most of these cases concern government employees who torture, injure, kill, rape, illegally detain or otherwise harm a human being. Government officials regularly confiscate or prevent access to a person's personal property, land, farming or fishing supplies. Furthermore, political killings occur during the course of elections in order to prevent individuals from bringing civil or criminal cases to trial. Political opponents are threatened and intimidated and in some remote provinces we still find instances of intimidation of human rights workers. 

In addition, children are sold into labor at young ages with no chance for education. Women who are victims of domestic violence do not get adequate help and representation in the legal system. Sex workers are treated by the police and the courts as though they have no basic rights. ADHOC investigates these cases and intervenes in order to bring the perpetrators to justice and to assist the victims and their relatives.

Impunity 

Unlike Cambodia's recent history, there are now relatively few cases of state-sponsored violence. However, violence committed by state organs for other than state reasons seems to be still accepted and condoned. Victims who file complaints of government brutality or illegal activity with the police or other authorities often do not get effective assistance. Moreover, impunity of perpetrators with government ties is an overwhelming hindrance in the pursuit of justice for victims of abuses.

There are several ways in which government impunity operates to prevent justice from being served. When a victim complains to the police, in some situations no investigations are made, no interviews conducted, and no evidence collected. The police force is underpaid and therefore susceptible to pay-offs in exchange for dropping investigations. Police and court officials will sometimes convince victims of criminal abuses that they should accept meager monetary compensations from their assailants and drop their complaints. The courts will allow perpetrators to be disciplined by their superior officers, thereby eliminating the victims' chances to tell their stories in court. Impunity in the justice system for acts of wrong-doing committed by government actors has become a rampant problem in Cambodia. 

ADHOC, as a non-governmental organization, is essential in providing legal assistance and counseling to victims of human rights abuses. ADHOC appeals on behalf of victims to the police, the courts, and the government to demonstrate its opposition to government impunity. As a way to help change the current situation, ADHOC works to educate members of civil society as to their rights, as well as to train police and other government workers in the laws that protect the rights of Cambodians. Also, as new laws are drafted and the shape of the future is drawn, ADHOC participates by lobbying on behalf of vulnerable groups, including women, ethnic minorities, and children. ADHOC also exposes the abuses of power to the general public through use of the media to help raise consciousness of the problems of human rights violations and impunity in Cambodia. 

ADHOC was the first NGO established to address the human rights situation in Cambodia and has since become a leader in the campaign to end governmental abuse of the rights of Cambodian civilians. Through cooperative work between the several human rights NGOs and the government, Cambodia will demonstrate its commitment to a safe and just society.