CCHR Trial Monitoring Project Releases Leaflet on 2011 Key Trial Monitoring Statistics from the Phnom Penh Capital Court of First Instance

CCHR Press Release, 28 March 2012

CCHR Trial Monitoring Project Releases Leaflet on 2011 Key Trial Monitoring Statistics from the Phnom Penh Capital Court of First Instance

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) - anon-aligned, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights in Cambodia – today releases a leaflet presenting the key findings of its Trial Monitoring Project in2011. Please see attached a leaflet in Khmer and English detailing these findings. A copy of the leaflet will soon be available on the CCHR website at: Trial Monitoring Project.

The CCHR Trial Monitoring Project monitors criminal trials in Cambodia in order to assess their adherence to the fair trial rights guaranteed under domestic and international law. In so doing the Project aims to promote awareness of the problems inherent in the judicial system and to encourage change and respect for fair trial rights.

The data contained in the leaflet is compiled from the results of 586​ trials monitored by the Project in the Phnom Penh Capital Court of First Instance in 2011, involving a total of 992 individual accused. A checklist is used at each trial to record qualitative and quantitative data relating to the various aspects of the trial process, focusing on the specific rights guaranteed by law. These results have been condensed in order to visually portray the court's adherence to each fundamental trial right.

As the leaflet demonstrates, there are a number of issues relating to fair trials. Among these, the Project has observed the prevalence of pre-trial detention; low levels of legal representation of those charged with felony offenses; the high incidence of mobile phone use by judges; and concerns relating to the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

CCHR is sending you this leaflet in the hope that the data we have collected will aid your promotion of respect for fair trial rights and facilitate greater understanding of those areas of the justice system which, without improvement, threaten the realization of these rights in Cambodia.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information relating to the Project and its findings.

Best regards,


CCHR


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