The OHCHR Cambodia Country Office is the oldest field presence of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. It has been through several transformations and traces its origins back to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).

The Country Office was established in October 1993. Its mandate derives from the Paris Peace Accords which called for the United Nations to continue to monitor the human rights situation in Cambodia after the withdrawal of UNTAC.

Resolution 1993/6 of the Commission on Human Rights, in accordance with the Paris Peace Accords, gave the then United Nations Centre for Human Rights a mandate which combines monitoring, protection and public reporting functions with technical assistance and advisory services. The Human Rights Centre, including its Cambodia office, was formally merged with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in 1998.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Royal Government of Cambodia for the implementation of a technical cooperation programme on human rights was last renewed in October 2007 for an eighteen-month period.

The Geneva-based office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is the part of the United Nations Secretariat charged with promoting and protecting human rights. The Cambodia Country Office represents the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louise Arbour. Its mandate is distinct from, but complementary to, the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia, Mr. Yash Ghai. ...

The Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia is currently Mr. Christophe Peschoux (from 1 September 2007).

Previous representatives were:

Ms. Margo Picken                           (2001-2007)
Ms. Rita Reddy                               (1999-2000)
Ms. Rosemary McCreery                (1998-1999)

Prior to this, the Director of the United Nations Human Rights Centre in Cambodia was Mr. Daniel Premont (1993-1998).

The Office has three inter-linked thematic programmes which monitor and assess certain aspects of the human rights situation and Cambodia and advocate for the protection of human rights and the prevention of the reoccurrence of violations of these rights. On the basis of their assessment of the situation, each programme seeks long-term solutions through technical assistant to government and other partners.

Civil Society and Fundamental Freedoms

The Civil Society and Fundamental Freedoms Unit works with national governmental structures and non-governmental organizations and, through advocacy, protection and capacity-building work, assists in strengthening the national protection system to allow for the implementation and exercise of fundamental freedoms including, the rights of freedom of expression, assembly association and movement. The Civil Society Unit works particularly closely with NGOs, trade unionists, politicians, journalists and other groups as both its partners , but also its main target groups.

Rule of Law

The Rule of Law Unit works in Cambodia to promote a sound legal and institutional framework for the protection and promotion of human rights in accordance with the Constitution and Cambodia’s international obligations. In addition, the Rule of Law tries to ensure that the legal framework for the protection and promotion of human rights in Cambodia is enforced in accordance with the rule of law; and that victims of human rights violations have an effective remedy in accordance with the rule of law.

Land and Livelihoods

The Land and Livelihoods Unit reviews the legal framework relating to land in Cambodia from a human rights perspective, examining the key factors affecting people's access to land and sources of livelihoods in Cambodia. To protect access to land and sources of livelihoods, the Land and Livelihoods Unit provides technical assistance and support to NGOs; advocates to Government and international donors; and upholds the rights of community members and civil society actors.

Battambang Regional Office

OHCHR maintains a presence in the north-west of Cambodia through its Battambang Regional Office, covering the provinces of Battambang, Pursat, Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey and the Municipality of Pailin.

Other regions are covered from the Phnom Penh office.

* Article 17 of the Agreement on a comprehensive political settlement of the Cambodia conflict and article 3 of the Agreement concerning the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia.