About OHCHR/Cambodia

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia was established as an operational presence in Cambodia in October 1993 following the withdrawal of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. Its mandate and that of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia are set down in the Commission on Human Rights Resolution 1993/6, and elaborated upon in subsequent resolutions of the Commission and the General Assembly. They combine monitoring, protection and public reporting functions with technical assistance and advisory services programmes.

The current Special Representative, Yash Ghai was appointed in November 2005. His predecessors were Peter Leuprecht (2001-2005), Thomas Hammarberg (1996-1999) and Michael Kirby (1993-1996).

The Special Representatives have submitted annual reports and recommendations on the situation of human rights in Cambodia to the Commission on Human Rights and the General Assembly from 1994 to 2003. Over this same period, the Secretary-General has also reported on the role and achievements of the Office of the High Commissioner in assisting the Government and people of Cambodia in the promotion and protection of human rights. Since 2004, following a General Assembly decision at its 58th session, reports are submitted solely to the Commission on Human Rights.

OHCHR also cooperates in the implementation of a technical cooperation programme in the field of human rights under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of Cambodia. The current MoU came into effect in January 2005 for a two year period.