Commission of Inquiry for Cambodia

The Independent Fact-Finding Commission of Inquiry for Cambodia fosters international cooperation between Cambodian organizations across the globe, supporting freedom of information, expression, and association through virtual sessions. With the illegitimate, upcoming July 2023 Cambodian national elections, the Commission’s efforts and transition from fact-finding to accountability are more crucial than ever, with three primary activities planned: an early February 2023 Session on the electoral process in Cambodia; strategic urgent action, and planning; and support for accountability efforts in international courts. These efforts would advocate and demand electoral and democratic reform.

Some of our generation’s leading experts in human rights and democratic support are involved in this effort. This includes Paul Hoffman, Louisa Coan Greve, Brad Adams, Kingsley Abbott, Morton Sklar, and many legal interns from Columbia Law University.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR

OPENING SESSION - OCTOBER 23 2021

The Commission launched its first session to coincide with and give prominent attention to the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Peace Accords in 1991. The Accords incorporated the core democracy and human rights standards to guide the newly created government of Cambodia. Hun Sen, prime minister at that time, signed the Accords and agreed to the internationally established democracy and human rights standards they contained. The first session identified the issues that needed to be given priority attention and outlined the proposed schedule of hearings to follow. This session stressed the importance of including “victims' testimonies” and highlighted the cases involving the assassinations of Kem Ley, Chea Vichea, and Chut Wutty.

SECOND SESSION - MARCH 4 2022

A second session coincided with the convening of a special compliance review session on Cambodia by the United Nations Human Rights Committee. The Commission decided to hold its session concurrently with the United Nations' hearing in recognition that no single agency or platform could bring international attention and get effective remedial action by itself. The Commission submitted several official statements to the UN for consideration, including a proposed “List of Issues” and a summary of the Commission's “interim findings and recommendations.”

THIRD SESSION - SEPTEMBER 10 2022

Two days before the lead defendant of the Mass Criminal Trial, Theary Seng's arrest and imprisonment, she testified to the Commission of Inquiry, exposing the Hun Sen government's numerous violations of the rule of law standards. She emphasized that the Hun Sen government does not deserve to be given support by the international community. Keynote speaker Kingsley Abbott, Director of Global Accountability of the International Commission of Jurists explained how the Hun Sen government's long-standing campaign of repression is inconsistent with the rule of law and many international human rights standards. The session was also joined by Brad Adams and Jessica Finelle, who will discuss the importance of the new development of the French Criminal Court's decision that indicted Hun Sen's top two generals for the 1997 Grenade Attack. This court decision is an essential first step in holding the Hun Sen government responsible and accountable for their human rights abuses.

For more detail and information, visit: Cambodia Commission of Inquiry

Follow us on Twitter: @CambodiaCOI

HOW IT STARTED:

Facing increasingly harsh and extensive repression from the Hun Sen government, including the destruction of core democratic institutions such as free speech and press, and elimination of meaningful political opposition and fair elections, and in light of the fact that the international community has not responded strongly enough to prevent or remedy these abuses, the Khmer people have come together to create their own Commission of Inquiry for Cambodia. Its purpose is to gather the evidence of the Cambodian government’s massive violations of international law, and lay them bare for the international community and all the relevant international forums and decision-makers to see and act upon. The purpose of this is for the Cambodian government to be held accountable, justice can be served and impunity be stopped, so that democracy and human rights can be returned to Cambodia through meaningful and effective reforms.

YOUR SUPPORT: 

The future sessions and their schedule will depend on funding and staffing. The future sessions will be dedicated to addressing substantive issues, including the elimination of democracy and democratic processes, the destruction of the free press and media, the misuse of the courts and the law enforcement system, the suppression of free speech and free association rights, the carrying out of massive arbitrary arrest and imprisonments, and expulsion of international monitoring and reporting agencies and groups. 

ABOUT SAVE CAMBODIA:

Save Cambodia is the organization responsible for the financial, programmatic, communication, and advertising channels of the Commission of Inquiry for Cambodia.

Save Cambodia is an NGO in special consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Many Cambodians struggle with the need for unity and self-empowerment. Save Cambodia guides Cambodians to strengthen relationships within the national and international community so they can develop the tools and strategies to start making their country feel like home again.