Prime Minister Hun Sen, during a peace prayer ceremony in Siem Reap Province on Saturday, told Fresh News that his government decided not to shut down the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) due to the fact that after an investigation, the Ministry of Interior did not find any illegal act committed by the center. As the result, the CCHR would be free to continue their activities as human rights protector in the country.
"After receiving their statement as well as their request, the government decided to spare this center by letting this institution to continue their activities as human rights protector in the country. On the other hand, after an investigation, the Ministry of Interior found that the center did not involve in any illegal activity," said Prime Minister Hun Sen.
In response, in a press release, Madame Chak Sopheap, CCHR Executive Director, said that the CCHR welcomed the prime minister's move to not shut down her center, however the CCHR would always continue to follow its core value as human rights protector in Cambodia where civil society space is shrinking.
"On behalf of all the staff at CCHR, I thank everyone who expressed their support and solidarity with us during this difficult period. The messages received from former staff, interns, beneficiaries, and communities, as well as supporters across the world, have been a great source of support and encouragement to us all. Although we warmly welcome this positive news, it is imperative that we now continue to focus on our core work, as the reality of Cambodia’s shrinking civic space poses many challenges for civil society," said Mrs. Sopheap.
The CCHR was created in 2002 by Mr. Kem Sokha, former opposition party CNRP, who later resigned from the center in 2007 to create his own political party - the Human Rights Party.
The center focus on various issues to promote respect for fundamental rights recognized under international human rights law, such as human rights education, rural land rights, and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The center has also provided free legal aid to victims of human rights abuses.
Last week, Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the Ministry of Interior to revise legal measures in order to shut down the CCHR accused by the the premier for being created under foreigner's initiative. Prime Minister Hun Sen also said that Mr. Sokha, who is being jailed and accused by the premier for treason, was also involved in the creation of the center.
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