Over the past two years, the Khmer Community has been engaging in a major effort to present their complaints to the Hun Sen government, focusing heavily on the upcoming 2023 elections. The UN, especially the UN Special Rapporteur on Cambodia, Vitit Muntarbhorn, has taken extensive action for the first time, concentrating on the election process and its deficiencies. They, along with the UN Member States during the 8 May Cambodia Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session at the Human Rights Council, concluded that the extensive human rights, democracy, and rule of law abuses by the Hun Sen government have made fair, free, and legitimate elections impossible.
With the UN actions concluding at the 8 May review, the Khmer Community is at a critical point, determining the direction of their advocacy efforts and strategizing their next steps. Where does the Khmer Community go from here?
Recently, major developments and advocacy opportunities have come to light. Amnesty International's report on the Angkor Wat evictions extensively documents how UNESCO and the Cambodian government failed to monitor compliance with the World Heritage Agreement, leading to widespread evictions. Additionally, the establishment of a major new Chinese military facility in Cambodia directly violates the Cambodian Constitution and the Paris Peace Accords.
This workshop will explore these new developments and discuss strategic advocacy actions to address these issues effectively. Your participation and insights will be crucial in shaping the future course of our collective efforts.
Limited space. Registration is required (in-person and online). Contact Nalen.Smith@savecambodia.org for inquiries.
Sponsored by:
Cambodian Association of Illinois (CAI)
Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields
Cambodian American for Human Rights and Democracy (CAHRAD)
PROGRAM AGENDA
Moderator: Norea Nuon and Kolvath Som
Program Coordinator: Montha Ok
8:00am - 8:50am
Registration and Breakfast
8:50am - 9:00am
Opening Event
9:00am - 9:30am
Museum Memorial Respect Ceremony
9:30am - 10:00am
Welcoming and Opening Remarks by the Cambodian Association of Illinois and National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields and Cambodian American for Human Rights and Democracy (CAHRAD)
Introduction to Save Cambodia
10:00am - 10:30am
Save Cambodia History
10:30am - 10:55am
Community Testimonies
10:45am - 11:10am
Post-UPR46 Session - Five Things You Need To Know About Upcoming Khmer Advocacy Activities
11:10am - 11:40am
How do these advocacy efforts help protect Khmer in-country?
11:40am - 12:10pm
Building on top of successes and new opportunities
12:10pm - 12:40pm
Lunch
Strategic Planning Session
12:40pm - 1:00pm
False Hope: ‘Appeasing and Legitimizing Hun Manet’
1:00pm-1:15pm
Coffee/Snack Break
1:15pm - 4:45pm
Open Discussions: Letting go of old and ineffective methods and moving toward meaningful and effective change, trade and development aid sanctions and Amnesty International, UNESCO and Save Angkor campaign