On 27 September 2018, Human Rights Now gave an oral statement on Technical Assistance to Address Land Grabbing in Cambodia at the 39th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
In Cambodia, Japan has contributed to comprehensive legal reforms to promote the rule of law, including assistance to the drafting of Cambodia’s Civil Law and Civil Procedure Law. Despite Japan’s assistance and the legal reforms, the antiquated practice of land grabbing has continued in Cambodia by the government, military, and powerful companies. The case in Cambodia is not exceptional. Land grabbing under the shadow of law is prevailing around the world. In the statement we called on the Human Rights Council to implement a strategic review of member states’ technical assistance to ensure they effectively prevent and address human rights violations, including land grabbing.
The video and the full text of the statement can be accessed below.
The full statement of the statement can be downloaded here.
Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.
Human Rights Now is concerned about the effectiveness of technical assistance to address negative human rights impacts. Regarding Cambodia, Japan has contributed to comprehensive legal reforms to promote the rule of law, including assistance to the drafting of Cambodia’s Civil Law and Civil Procedure Law. Such reforms could, if well implemented, address important human rights issues, including land grabbing and other issues in Cambodia.
Despite Japan’s assistance and the legal reforms, the antiquated practice of land grabbing has continued in Cambodia by the government, military, and powerful companies. There is thus a need to better implement the law and to ensure that the law is not misused and actually contributing to the problem.
Land grabbing often involves violence, forced evictions and destruction of property. The 2018 Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cambodia highlighted how Cambodia continues to be marked by prolonged land disputes that affect the basic rights of affected families and communities.
Mr. Vice-President,
The case in Cambodia is not exceptional. Land grabbing under the shadow of law is prevailing around the world. We call for the strategic review of member states’ technical assistance to ensure they effectively prevent and address human rights violations, including land grabbing.