Friday, February 25, 2011

Joint human rights project announced

Experts explain about the role of human rights defenders during Wednesday's program (Photo: Marisa)
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Thomas Miller
The Phnom Penh Post

The United States-based Robert F Kennedy Centre for Justice and Human Rights and the Cambodian civic education organisation CIVICUS launched an education programme in Phnom Penh yesterday designed to inspire students to become rights defenders.

Kerry Kennedy, a daughter of Robert F Kennedy and president of the RFK Center, recounted her own awakening to the cause of human rights in remarks at Pannasastra University before several hundred students.

She said a number of traumatic events during her youth had a deep impact on her.


The assassinations of her uncle, US President John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr and her father, Robert F Kennedy, as well as friends’ experiences of domestic violence, discrimination and rape, seemed “chaotic” and left her feeling powerless.

She was then introduced to the field of international law through an internship with Amnesty International, where she learned about abuses of Salvadoran refugees in the US.

“But I also learned that all of the horrible things that had happened in my life were violations of international law. And that there were people in my country and around the world – human rights defenders – who were organised and were putting an end to these violations, and that I could join them,” Kennedy said.

The project includes a curriculum for students and a photo exhibition at Meta House based on Kennedy’s book, which profiles human rights activists with photographs by the Pulitzer prize-winning American photographer Eddie Adams.

A play also based on Kennedy’s book will be performed at the Pannasastra University auditorium tonight at 5pm.

Surya Subedi, the United Nations special rapporteur for human rights, told students that human rights work takes a long-term commitment.

“The value of human rights education cannot be measured. Some of the work we do today may bring results tomorrow. Some of the work we do today may bring results in five years time,” he said. “So we have to be persistent.”

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who speaks of the defense of the native red skins(Indians)rights in US, the white folks or Cambodia refugees like Theary or doctoresse de Paris?

Anonymous said...

We need students in the country to build up spontaneous leaders for youth movement and organize demonstrations accross the country as soon as possible to get rid of the dictator Hun Sen. Power and Freedom for the people

from kone khmer

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Anonymous said...

may i say that educators should be informed of their rights, etc as well as their limit in the framework of the law allowed, of course. can't just let people abuse the system, sometimes, really! people in cambodia aren't stupid, you know!

Anonymous said...

usually it's the qualified, capable, effective one that is chosen to supervise or manage, so, are you qualified? all within the framework of the law, of course! know you rights and professional limit as well, ok! no more abuse in cambodia, ok!

Anonymous said...

*The communist viruses still sleeping in CHOUN PEARL BRAIN always.
His still jealous,and always defame people look like FROG LIVING IN THE WELL.
WAKE UP GUY.
NEAK LENG

Anonymous said...

*Dear Miss THEARY SENG
-I love your conscience so Much. I want to get Married with LADY like you But it is too late. I hope next 60 years more...I will meet you and complete my dream.
LOVEYOU2060

Anonymous said...

No one is perfect,but
each of person trains
himself/herself to be
perfect.It takes years and years or generation to generation to come.
People changed their minds for the better.
since the beginning
and up to now,how human beings have had been changed.
They live on planet earth to moon,to march and the other planet that has same temperature as on earth.
Maybe one of blogger
above me,if they are
young.
May Gods bless you all!

Anonymous said...

human rights is a serious business in cambodia, especially after what had happened during the KR era! we cannot afford to lack, you know! god bless cambodia.