Beginning in 1993, USAID has been an important source
of funding for a number of human rights groups working
in Cambodia. Over the years, these groups have become
more professional and more outspoken. Nonetheless, important
work remains to be done. Significant obstacles include
a weak judiciary and a culture of impunity. As part of
a new initiative launched in late 2003, USAID is improving
the capacity of human rights organization and legal professionals
to challenge the political and judicial system for equitable
treatment of all citizens. USAID programs also help enforce
worker rights, and support impartial dispute resolution
mechanisms.
The program is implemented by the East-West Management
Institute (EWMI) and involves a range of other organizations.
One important activity is to support NGOs that take on
human rights cases that can potentially influence government
policy and public opinion. USAID also seeks to strengthen
the capacity of these NGOs to monitor, investigate and
follow-up on human rights cases. Various types of cases
are covered, including land encroachment, trafficking
in persons and corruption.
If successful, the program will achieve high impact
by focusing on “cutting edge” and “precedent
setting” cases. In a civil law country such
as Cambodia, these cases do not establish a legal
precedent
per se. However, successful litigation of such cases
should raise the profile of an issue, influence public
opinion, and affect government policy. These types
of cases should also help set an example for dealing
with
subsequent cases of a similar nature. Over the medium
to long term, they can also provide an impetus for
structural reform.
Along with a focus on the legal protection of human
rights, USAID/Cambodia also supports labor programs.
Three sectors
receive special attention—the garment, tourism
and education sectors. Part of the intent is to help
form and maintain labor unions that are both democratic
and professional. Implemented by the American Center
for International Labor Society (ACILS), this project
provides education, training and technical assistance
to assist Cambodian workers in these three key sectors
to understand their rights and responsibilities as
union members as well as their roles as citizens in
building
a democratic society.
USAID implemented partner International Labor Organization
(ILO) supports the Cambodia Labor Arbitration Council,
a tripartite arrangement between workers, government
and employers whose mandate is to independently and
impartially hear labor disputes. The Council also provides
training
on law and procedures for arbitrators, workers’,
employers’, judges, lawyers and other stakeholders.
The Council is viewed as the only corruption-free body
making judicial decision and has improved labor-employer
relations.
Documentation Center for Cambodia (DC-Cam) is Cambodia’s
only independent, non-governmental institute devoted
to documenting their Khmer Rouge History. DC-Cam aims
to collect evidence, conduct research, and promote
accountability for the crimes committed by the Khmer
Rouge. USAID will
establish an endowment to ensure future sustainability
of DC-Cam. |
