While the world is facing financial downturn, richest men on the earth have been still recorded. My interest to the 2010 World’s Richest Man record is the Mexican Carlos Slim who also broke the record for 2007 when i compared him to a well-known Cambodian richest man, Tycoon Kith Meng. My commentators debated whether my assumption about Kit Meng as the Cambodian richest man is corrected or should be someone else or our Prime Minister.

With this debate and current development of draft law on Anti-Corruption which have been adopted in the National Assembly this Thursday, the Cambodian’s richest man record can be prevailed since the law outlines for asset declaration among high ranking officials and civil society leaders (this asset declaration has draw much discussion on why civil society leaders are also subjected to this declaration). However, this premise is questionable as key proposals for independence of Anti-Corruption Commission and publicity of asset declaration have been ignored.

If transparency and Anti-Corruption is the aim of Cambodian government, i hope the detail of asset declaration either put by the Anti-Corruption Commission or any agency can be made publicly.

Published on IUJ, available in both English and Japanese.

On March 5, 2010, IUJ, with support from the JDS Program, organized a field trip where about 20 students were able to inspect how both the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Bank of Japan operate and contribute to financial stability and growth.

At the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the history of the stock market and its operation were introduced via a video clip. Through this briefing, we learned the fact that the first company to issue stocks and bonds was the Dutch East India Company in 1602 through the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. In addition, we came to understand the distinction between investment through holding stock and through bank savings. Through banks, we can earn interest that is low compared to stocks where we can earn dividends from the company whose stock we invested in via broker agents. However, the main difference is that it is risky to invest in stocks, as our dividends depend on the health of the company. We then were able to see the real platform of the stock exchange, which is often shown on TV, including the Stock Market Index which moves indicating world stock transactions, the chart showing different stock companies and their share prices which promptly fluctuated in only a second, and the Market Center where traditionally many brokers came to make their stock transactions. However, with modern technology, stock transactions have become better operated online without crowding in face to face.

Then we moved on to visit the Bank of Japan where the role of the central bank was addressed. We now better understand the key functions of the central bank in monetary policy and financial system stability. Economic transactions and social security can be difficult and risky without the facilitation of a central bank. It was also amazing to see how the Bank of Japan is well prepared for not only the financial system problems, but also for natural disasters such as earthquakes. The bank is physically designed to protect from earthquakes as well as being able to provide money management when crises occur.

In a nutshell, this field trip offered much practical knowledge to participants coming from different countries to see how key financial institutions are functioning. More importantly, for myself, being from Cambodia, where a stock exchange will be commenced soon, probably within the next year, the visit to the Tokyo Stock Exchange is worth sharing. My suggestion for next year’s field trip is to have a deeper understanding and discussion of the risk management systems of these institutions (for example the current financial crisis: the role of these institutions) where students can incorporate Japan’s experience in their home countries.

I have been taught differently by my family and society. While my parents who value education and equal status of human being regardless sex that brought me to today’s higher education the same as my brother, my society distracted me into a mixed environment where I have to always debate myself for any step to move forward. The mixed environment here i refer to the situation where people keep telling me to follow the old tradition, while another side contradict this practice.

Gender Perception in Cambodian Society

In Cambodia, a male-dominated society, females are more expected to conform to norm and tradition which placed women inferior to her male counterparts. There are various traditional codes of conduct for women as described in proverbs, folktales and novels, especially in Chab Srey, “Women Code of Conduct,” on how women should behave. Here are some excerpt of Women Code of Conduct:

Another flame is your husband who you stay with forever
You should serve well don’t make him disappointed
Forgive him in the name of woman; don’t speak in the way that you consider him as equal
No matter what happen we have to wait to listen with the bad word (even if he say something bad you have to listen)

“Women are supposed to stay at home, and always behave quietly and sweetly,” otherwise it will bring bad luck to family. Moreover, a famous proverb continually practice in Cambodia: ” A man is gold; a woman is a white piece of cloth.” When dropped into mud, piece of cloth never regains its purity regardless how much it is washed. However, the gold can be cleaned and shined always.

Interestingly, one reason for a lack of female participation in today’s labor market and higher education may stem from the old perspectives, which said it is useless or unnecessary to send the girls to school comparing to the boy; or the girls should not learn much otherwise they will know how to write love letters to the man; or the girl can just stay home and treat husband properly; thus no need to learn. All these concepts are rooted in Khmer society and disvalue women’s rights and dignity. Consequently, we hardly find women in higher positions of government or companies or any institution due to the lack of knowledge and opportunities, which is restricted by the family and society as the whole.

This old saying is truly reflecting how people perceive about women value and role. I have debated a lot with some male counterparts who most of the time they teased me not to study hard or pursue higher education. Their justification is the same thing to the old perspective that women are not supposed to learn a lot, since sooner or later she will become housewife or the proverb saying: “Women cannot do anything beside household work.”

Advancement of Cambodian Women in Modern Society

Regardless the old practices still exist, globalization and modernization have brought much change to Cambodian perception on women value. Due to political and economical evolution and the ratifications of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, regardless of sex, people deserve equal treatment and respect. Therefore, the recognition and respect of women’s efforts started. More importantly, economic reasons are another key lead to the change since the family cannot only rely on the man, but women also can contribute their income generation which contradicts to many old saying that women should only stay at home or women can only manage the household work.

We can witness in today society where women gain much status and play important role in social development. Among many women, the following are some model activists who do not only resettle social problem, but also take leading role in women empowerment regardless life risks:

Chim Manavy: the Executive Director of the Open Institute, a local Cambodian non-government organization established in September, 2006 with the main purpose to facilitate communication and knowledge sharing for women empowerment and social development in Cambodia.

Kek Galabru: President and founder of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) during the United Nation transition period. LICADHO is to protect human rights in Cambodia and to promote respect for civil and political rights by the Cambodian government and institutions.

Mu Sochua: The first woman elected to Cambodia’s parliament. Sochua has been targeted by her government for persecution and prosecution because of the feminist policies she has promoted.

Mam Somaly: Under her leadership, AFESIP employs a holistic approach that ensures victims not only escape their plight but provide therapy and education so that they have the emotional and economic strength to face the future with hope. Though, she has earned much respects, her efforts have resulted in death threats to herself and her family. Even worst, in 2006, her 14-year-old daughter was kidnapped by brothel owners, who drugged and raped her. This has not stopped Somaly Mam, but motivated her even more. Once, when asked why she continued to fight in the face of such fierce and frightening opposition, she resolutely responded, “I don’t want to go without leaving a trace.”

Nuon Phymean: She has over the past years offered hundreds of children working in Phnom Penh’s landfill a way out through free schooling and job training at her People Improvement Organization. She was one of the nominees for the CNN Hero.

What can be done for Women Empowerment and to increase the presence of women in prominent position:

First of all, I think education is the main catalyst for advocating social change. Education shape people’s attitude and skill in which they can utilize to achieve their goals. Thus, before anything else, access to education is a must.

Then, it required internal and external forces to integrate women in prominent positions:

Internal forces: Women should see themselves as the agent of change. Instead of blaming the social tradition or accepting the male-domination social trend, women need to shape their positive thinking and be confident in their ability. Also, women need to understand their desire and struggle to meet that demands. I simply mean that women need to be proactive and strive toward the goals.

External forces: It requires government and civil society including parents to promote gender equality and empowerment. Any policies (such as in education, health, economy and social affairs) to be proposed should address gender interests.

The case of infectious diseases due to Yali Dam

Villagers in a remote Stung Treng’s Svay Rieng village living along the Sesan River reportedly appeal for health treatment assistant due to the infectious disease coming from dirty water flowing from the Yali dam in Vietnam. Majority of 200 families in this village are using the water from Sesan River in where dirty water, rubbish, and feces and water infiltrates from a red earth area are discharged from the Yali Dam located near Cambodia-Vietnam border.

This has resulted to different types of infectious diseases including diarrhea, itchy skin diseases, swollen limbs, typhoid, on the villagers; particularly the children. Over 20 children and adults have reportedly suffered from diarrhea and itchy skin disease since January 2010.

Notably, these kind of disease symptoms had never appeared in this village who always consumed the water from the river. The below video, in Khmer language, was reported by Radio Free Asia, where villagers were echoed their disease symptom and its root causes. Translation excerpt is available on the Mirror.

In fact, there have been much discussion and concerns by many stakeholders concerning the impact resulted from the building of the Yali Dam since 2000. The Vietnam’s $1 billion Yali Falls dam which was begun without prior Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) was later assessed by community-based groups who concluded that the dame has causes and is causing serious environmental and socio-economic impact to 20,000 people in 59 villages in the dam affected area, downstream on the Se San river in Cambodia’s Ratanakkiri and Steung Treng provinces.

The study conducted in 2000 further revealed that the dam is bringing death, disease and environmental devastation to Cambodia even before it is fully working. These mentioned impact has actually and continually occurred now. In 2000 report, five Cambodians were reportedly killed, crops destroyed, and fishing boats lost after the released water from the Vietnamese power station into the Se San river that cause a sudden surge in the volume and current downstream in Cambodia’s Ratanakkiri province.

There has been also much discussion on the quality of water which has harmed many livestock.

“According to the study, villagers claimed that more than 4,900 buffalo have died of unusual diseases since the water quality problem began in 1996. They also reported the similar deaths of more than 2,200 cows, 7,800 pigs, 1,600 ducks, tens of thousands of chickens, and more than 2,500 dogs and cats”

Regardless these reported cases, it seems there have been yet proper mechanisms being addressed and continued to impact to the community well-being where the social infrastructure including health care or risk reduction system have been yet well equipped. If this continued, it will be resulted into large social and economical cost similar to Minamata disease, where Japanese government had failed to taken any immediate risk assessment and reduction.

Background of Risk Management System Section:

This is a series of reflection on the risk of management system in Cambodia followed the study on Japan’s Minamanta disease; particularly, after a current IUJ’s lecture seminar, “The Error shall not be Repeated,” by Mr. Katuhiko Bando, a key attorney for the lawsuits filed by the victims of the Minamata disease in Niigata and Kumamoto against the polluted companies since the late 1960s. Mr. Bando have kept legal fighting, regardless the recommendation by many other attorneys and judges to have political resolution, in order that justice and proper compensation for the victims can be prevailed. The Minamanta case reveals much failure of Japanese government in risk management system by putting more priority on industrial activity (after the post-war war II period and during competitive world market), and fails to involve stakeholders (who can be individuals, groups or organization that can affect, be affected by or perceived themselves to be affected) for risk communication and monitoring. This failure have great impact on the society; especially the victims who have been burdened for the legal battle and social respect.

The early reflection to Cambodia was on the current practice of the Cambodian government who neglects or bypasses the regulations in approving forest concessions or filling the lakes is not only harmful to natural resource depletion, but also to environment, to human life, and the whole community survival. This includes the case of 1) the Bokor mountain which have been authorized by the government to private company in the name of development project of palm oil and cassava plantations and livestock farms,and 2) the filling of Boeng Kok Lake, which the private company could start their land filling operation even before the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been approved. Though the company recently obtained EIA stated that the lake the Boeng Kok is “dead lake—no major impact on environment”, there is also remark that some flooding will occur in rainy season and they are unable to provide any specific estimation on severity of risk.

Relevant articles:

Another Failure of Risk Management System: a case of SMON

Reflection on the risk management system in cambodia

A failure of risk management system a case of minamata disease

I first became aware of prostitution in Cambodia when I was 10. On the way home from the Phnom Penh Airport, we drove down Tol Kork Street. I was puzzled to see so many ladies wearing short skirts and heavy make-up. They were standing in front of their small cottages and waving at us. It was explained to me that they were prostitutes. Yet, I became even more puzzled. Why did they choose to become prostitutes? Will I end up like them? Are there other choices?

The word for prostitute in the Cambodian language is, “Srey Khauch,” or, “Srey Phaka Meas.” The phrase indicates a bad lady who chooses to earn income by having sex with men. It does not acknowledgement the vulnerability of women to sex trafficking. Yet, the reality is that given a choice, they would not become prostitutes. Events, circumstances, and conditions force women into prostitution, and I prefer to call them victims instead of prostitutes.

The following items will be highlighted in my article:

• Factors that Make Women Vulnerable to Sex Trafficking and Exploitation
• The Suffering of Victims of Sex Trafficking
• Does the Current Economic Crisis make Females More Vulnerable?
• Hope and Motivation from Anti-sex Trafficking Activists

Read more @ http://bit.ly/bhg1qC

Published on 2010 Jan 21

Niigata, Japan — After decades of isolation due to genocide and political conflict, Cambodia has integrated with regional groups like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and adopted a free market system. However, the right to movement in the country is still restricted and issues related to refugees and migrants are highly politicized.

The deportation of 20 Uighur asylum seekers to China in December last year reveals the implications and challenges that face Cambodia.

Although many Cambodian refugees who survived the brutal Khmer Rouge regime were resettled in other countries thanks to the 1951 U.N. Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, which is a legally binding treaty and a milestone in international refugee law, the Cambodian government, which is a signatory to the convention, ignored it in deporting the Uighurs. It has therefore violated its legal and humanitarian responsibilities.

Ethnic tensions between the Uighurs and China’s majority Han people in China’s northwest province of Xinjiang resulted in nearly 200 deaths and 1,600 injured in a July riot last year. Subsequently, hundreds of Uighurs were detained and many executed for their involvement in the riots.

According to Human Rights Watch, at least 43 Uighurs disappeared while 22 entered Cambodia with the hope of seeking asylum to flee persecution in China. Despite appeals from human rights activists and the international community, the Cambodian government, which previously had claimed it would cooperate with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to provide asylum, promptly deported the Uighurs the day before Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visited Cambodia.

This clearly indicates China’s strong political influence on the Cambodian government, which allegedly received a package of grants and loans worth approximately US$1 billion for deporting the Uighurs.

In addition, irregularities in the application of Cambodian laws were also evident in the deportation process. Two days prior to the deportation, a new decree signed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was issued making the processing of asylum cases the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Interior.

Although the government denied that the passage of this item, which was being drafted for more than six months, was not relevant to the Uighurs’ deportation, it seemed more than pure coincidence.

Furthermore, the deportation process was completed in a hurried manner on a late Saturday night when government officials do not work.

The government later justified its action by claiming that the deportation was based on immigration laws and that the Uighurs had illegally entered the country without valid passports or visas. If that is the case, then the government has failed to tackle the many cases of illegal migrants from Vietnam.

That the deportation of the Uighurs from Cambodia was influenced by China is evident from the remarks of its Foreign Ministry, which said at a press conference, “China’s stance is very clear. The international refugee protection system should not become a shelter where criminals stay to escape legal punishment.”

If the Cambodian government stands by China’s remarks, then why has it not deported former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is an economic adviser to the Cambodian government, despite repeated requests from the Thai government?

Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 military coup and faces a minimum two-year jail term for corruption, according to the Thai government. But the Cambodian government says that Thaksin’s conviction is politically motivated and that the extradition treaty between the two nations allows either party to deny extradition in cases of “political offenses,” among others.

But Cambodia is not the only country where deportation cases are politicized. Thailand has also been criticized for abusing the refugee convention following its late December deportation of an estimated 4,000 ethnic Hmong asylum seekers back to Laos where they face persecution.

Historically, the Hmong people supported the United States during the Vietnam War when the conflict spread to Laos. After the war ended and the communists resumed power in 1975, thousands fled to neighboring Thailand.

The Thai government has repeatedly ignored accusations of alleged killings of Cambodian loggers who illegally cross the border and stray into the forests of Thailand. In addition, it has also denied the abuse of refugees from Myanmar who were turned back to sea and left to perish without food and water.

Immigration laws have also been politicized in the United States. Several of its immigration laws in the past 20 years were introduced during periodic episodes of anti-migrant hysteria and have been a major political issue during presidential election campaigns.

For example, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which applied retroactively to those convicted of deportable offenses, including some who had committed minor offences decades ago, was signed under former President Bill Clinton’s administration in September, shortly before elections in November that year.

Previously, immediate deportation was enacted only for offences that led to five years or more in jail. This included crimes such as murder, terrorism or threatening the president. However, the 1996 law expanded the scope of crimes meriting deportation to include even minor crimes such as shoplifting.

Moreover, the act stripped judges of nearly all discretion in determining whether permanent residents should be deported. There are limits on litigation that prevent individuals or groups from suing the government or appealing decisions by the Immigration Department or lower courts.

Under the expansion of this law together with the 2002 extradition agreement between the United States and Cambodia, signed after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 200 Cambodian refugees were deported by November 2008 and roughly 2,000 are waiting to be deported.

Beyond the unconstitutional law provision, the deportation has been done without any consideration on the impact of the deportees’ livelihood and their families.

In a nutshell, many states have abused the rights of migrants and refugees for political benefit despite being signatories to the U.N. refugee convention.

These ongoing violations are a signal to the international community to seek a more effective mechanism and willingness from governments to respect the rights of refugees instead of misusing them for political gain.

Even while struggling with MA degree’s thesis writing, I joined today Roundtable Discussion with International University Japan’s faculties members concerning on student’s future plan for pursuing Ph.D. It was a great experience sharing and recommendation for those who intend to go further for higher education and career plan. The IUJ faculties members includes:

• Cooray, Nawalage S.: Associate Professor of International Peace Studies Program
• Oh, Jinhwan: Associate Professor of International Development Program
• Mori, Masaki: Associate Professor of International Management
• Shinoda, Tomohito: Professor of Graduate International Relations
• Siddique Zafrul Quadir: Assistant Professor of International Development Program
• Sugai, Philip: Professor of International Management

About 30 Students attended this event which only few students raised their hand while asking if they would continue Ph.d. It seem they are considering about all the recommendation from the professor (or it seem they are being discouraged ).

Here are questions being discussed:

• Should I go on to a Ph.D.?
• How Should I choose a program?
• What should I consider in Preparing for a Ph.D. and What should I avoid ?
• How can I fund the studies?
• What was your program like and would you recommend it?
• What career are open to those with a Ph.D. in your field?

Here are main key messages from all the professors which i think it worth to share:

Ask ourselves the reason why we want to continue Ph.D.

It is an important question because we have to understand the necessity of Ph.D. investment to our future career life. Ph.D. is both financing and time consuming investment. Before going to Ph.D, we have to find out what is our future career plan. For example, if we intend to be businessmen, Ph.D is apparently not so important since many firms (the case of Japan) would not value Ph.D so much. But if our career is shaped to academia, then of course Ph.D is a value added and some university (the case of western once) would required Ph.D level.

Preparation to attend Ph.D and Financial issue

Think of program and research interest that we are going to work for Ph.D. dissertation. This is crucial since we have to pursue it for the whole Ph.D program and it can be difficult for us if we choose the topic that we are not interested as well as it will shape for our future career and speciality.

Also we need to be careful with financial issue since no scholarship is guaranteed for the whole Ph.D program and period. Some scholars may take up to 5 years or 10 years to finish their Ph.D (though some who can complete in 3 year period). So, we have to make sure that our financial support are well secured by acquiring different sources of additional fund or make sure the school or program we are applying will be well-supported.

Program and School Selection

We have to be careful in selecting the school. We need to look at the Global Scale of Opportunity meaning the school reputation and recognition will be important for your degree and future careers. (Some professors recommend US schools rather than Japan since Japanese Ph.D degree is limited in term of value and labor opportunities outside of Japan).

Things to Do and Avoid:
Do not pursue Ph.D for just title (Being called Dr. sound nice, but it should not be the only ultimate goal).
Do not value Ph.D goal with monetary term, the reward to gain Ph.D is more beyond this monetary value.
Apply cost-benefit analysis for our Ph.D pursuance decision.
Ph.D is mainly training people to be researcher and well-discipline.
If we think of non-business career, going for Ph.D is encouraged.
Need to aware the different between Ph.D degree and Doctoral Degree. It is recommended to go for Ph.D rather than Doctoral degree since it is more valued in academia.
Be persistence since Ph.D pursuance is quiet stressful and lonely during dissertation writing. (for married scholar, the spouse can be also stressful together, said Gretchen, the IUJ alumni and manager of Student Service Office)

After all the discussion and recommendation, it seem Ph.D level is quiet a tough job and considering Ph.D is not an easy decision making process. Will you apply for Ph.D?

Published on UPI Asia, December 23, 2009

Niigata, Japan — Phorn Sarith, a 37-year-old Cambodian logger, died when Thai soldiers reportedly fired indiscriminately on 25 loggers working in the Dangrek mountains in Oddar Meanchey, a Cambodian province on the Thai-Cambodian border, last Saturday.

Since September Thai soldiers have killed six Cambodian loggers, wounded several more and arrested others. While loggers are warned by authorities in the province not to stray across the porous border into Thailand, most end up crossing it to earn more money from illegal logging, in order to feed their families.

Although such cases have increased, the Thai government has done little to understand the situation or conduct proper investigations into the cross-border intrusions.

According to an October report released by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, several cases of killings and mistreatment of Cambodians by the Thai military were reported in the three-month period from August to October. One case mentions that 12 Cambodians, reportedly missing for nearly a month, were later found to have been arrested and detained by Thai soldiers in August 2009 on suspicion of illegal logging. Two other allegedly illegal loggers were found dead in the same month; the Thai military claimed to have shot them in self-defense.

In another case, 16 Cambodian loggers were arrested, tried and handed prison terms ranging from three months to nine years by the Ubon Provincial Court in Thailand, for illegal logging. The sentences were excessive and Thai authorities reportedly mistreated the loggers. Some were brought to court with their hands and legs chained and shackled, the CCHR report said.

In another case, Thai soldiers burned 16-year-old Yon Rith to death during an illegal logging mission with other villagers in September. Although the Thai government denied the cause of death, evidence shows that soldiers killed him.

Such cruel killing by the Thai military, which enjoys impunity, was seen in a number of incidents during the late 1970s and 1980s. While the killings have not stopped, the Cambodian government has also been negligent in its role to prevent citizens from illegally crossing over to neighboring Thailand.

Although the media and human rights organizations have reported many incidents of Cambodians killed by the Thai military after illegally crossing the border, there has been no satisfactory explanation by the Thai government. Instead, it has proclaimed that the rule of law prevails in the country and that it has an independent judiciary.

Thai authorities have also failed to employ preventive measures to stop illegal crossings of its border. The issue has been overshadowed to some extent by border disputes and military skirmishes between the two nations.

The continuous arbitrary killing and mistreatment of Cambodians are clear violations by the Thai government of U.N. rights conventions and of basic principles of human rights, including the right to life, the right to a court hearing on criminal charges and the right to be protected from cruel punishment, as guaranteed by the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Thailand is a signatory.

Article 1 of the Convention Against Torture precisely defines the term “torture” as “any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind.”

Article 2 of the CAT also asserts that “no exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture.”

As a signatory to CAT, the Thai government must take immediate and unconditional steps to fulfill its legal obligation to respect human rights, especially as it says that the rule of law prevails in the country.

If the Thai government says that it has an independent judiciary, then it must end impunity for those who kill and mistreat civilians, including Cambodian illegal loggers or any such immigrants.

At the Bangkok launch of the United Nations Development Program’s report on “Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development,” on Oct. 5, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva proudly impressed audiences by saying that Thailand respects migrants’ rights.

“We realize that the most effective way to protect these migrants is to legalize their status and bring them into the formal labor market,” he said. “The migration is simply an expression of the freedom and desire of each individual to seek better opportunities in life.”

If what Abhisit said is true, then the Thai government must acknowledge the rights of the poor Cambodian loggers who cross into Thailand looking for better opportunities to sustain their families. As a civilized nation, the Thai government must fulfill its commitment and obligation to respect human rights.

–

(Chak Sopheap is a graduate student of peace studies at the International University of Japan. She runs a blog, www.sopheapfocus.com, in which she shares her impressions of both Japan and her homeland, Cambodia. She was previously advocacy officer of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.)

It has been my first time ever to write such a personal resolution for year-end. Maybe new environment, situation, and people surrounding me make me think. The above Akon’s quote help to express my feeling!

My only New Year Wish:

Please do not take my friend’s life*! His two young kids’ need him to call them ”Son”!

*Sou Saren, an active co-founder of Youth Network for Change is now at critical stage for live survival after car accident.

My 2010 Resolution:

1. Strengthen Youth Network for Change on two main themes: Youth and Civic Responsibility ( of course with cooperation from all my active friends)
2. Keep advocating for Freedom of Expression through blogging and social discussion
3. Start my career with good governance, poverty reduction, peace and human rights analysis ( Teaching maybe a part of my carrer interest. I start to love teaching though i hate to do this job when i was in high school. I remember one of my Khmer Literature Teacher asked me to become Teacher, then i harsly replied him “Sorry, No”)
4. Try to balance my social and family time managment (I asked my mum why she did not cry when I visited home after my whole year stay in Japan, she said “nothing is strange between when i was at home or in Japan! Sorry, i rarely spent time at home, Mum)
5. Reread my favorite quote once a day: “When you blame others, you give up your power to change.” Another new quote taken from my friend, Tharum’s facebook status posted “I won the nickname the great communicator. But I never thought it was my style that made a difference– it was the content. I wasn’t a great communicator, but I communicated great things.” ~ Ronald Reagan – 1911–2004.
6. Should be more matured (my brother, Ou Virak, chatted with me and said that I am too naive!)
7. Stop comment sad things on Facebook while i feel bored (my brother, Sophy, asked me what wrong with me, I said nothing I just want to post something to attract for his reply. He said “Crazy”!)

My 2009 Reflection:

1. Learn to live apart from my beloved family, friends, and country: I always wish i could travel around the world, studying or working for a few period oversea. But when time arrived that i was selected to study in Japan, my heart was mixed with sad (in leaving my beloved surrounding) and joy (of staying in the country i dreamed to visit the most). I still miss my every weekend’s meeting with my Youth Network friends, some weekend’s extra work staying at office alone or with other co-workers, my mummy’s cook and special desserts, time with my sister, my brother and papa complains of keeping them waiting so long (when they picked me up), last but not least my comfortable room with loud music turned on. I have to admit that I miss all of them badly until now.
2. Workaholic is a bad habit, but still good to me: Some people like to drink so much, but they do not get drunk, while I was really drunk with work though i did not drink. My first half year in Japan was not easy since i could not adapt to the study environment. It does not mean the study was hard, but i could not keep myself free without doing something related to my work. So I kept mailing around asking my former place if i can be useful asset for their work allocation (of course without paid). After awhile, I have become the Guest Commentary and recently i am invited to be contributing author for Global Voice adding up to my last academic year in wrap up my thesis. Many work i can load, the more catalyze to push me work more hard. Without such load, I will become procrastinator.
3. Leave comfort zone and take adventure: I like reading news, but I dislike to read history. So I found myself busy in traveling around to expose to new culture and daily livelihood in Japanese communities. I like school visit program which i can capture new idea and civic educational tool to share with my Cambodian fellows and blog readers. For party, I found it fun during the first semester, but then i tried to avoid it since i found it irrelevant. Some friends said that my second home in Japan, beside the dormitory, is study room. I cannot deny this accusation. Sorry IUJ’s friends for my absence in many parties.
4. Love will not hurt if we understand love: I do believe that “love = mutual care, give (with no benefit oriented thinking), being a trust partner.” It apply to all kinds of love including parents‘ love, friends, and life-partner.

If i would miss anything, i would glad if my friends can recall for and advise me!

Published on UPI online, December 02, 2009

Niigata, Japan — This year’s theme for Human Rights Day on Dec. 10 is “non-discrimination,” based on the concept that all human beings are born free and are equal in dignity and rights. However, much needs to be done before this concept will be a reality in many nations. Though many countries have endorsed the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, initiated 60 years ago, challenges still persist in implementing it.

On Oct. 24, ASEAN inaugurated its Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights in Bangkok, Thailand. But there are many concerns as to whether this commission will be more than just a propaganda organization, given that many of its member states have very poor human rights records.

Current human rights violations within ASEAN member states range from intimidation to the killing of journalists and political and social activists who advocate the public interest and the rule of law. The recent political massacre in Maguindanao in the Philippines, where 57 people were killed including nonpolitical civilians and journalists, is proof that politically motivated intimidation still commonly practiced in that country.

Military-ruled Myanmar refuses to release political prisoners including the leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been kept under house arrest for over 14 years, despite domestic and international appeals.

In Cambodia there are many reports of arrests, coercive force and intimidation of journalists, political activists and community rights defenders that protest against land grabbing, forced evictions, border issues and government corruption.

In Thailand there are restrictions on the freedom of press and speech; the alleged killings of Cambodians who illegally cross the border to work in the forests of Thailand; the abuse of refugees from Myanmar who are turned back to the sea and left to perish without food and water.

Given the lack of human rights protections in these member countries, ASEAN’s ability to create an effective, rule-based institution to protect human rights is questionable. Only four member states – Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines – have independent human rights commissions, none of which is very effective.

Cambodia needs an independent National Human Rights Commission. Although there are three existing human rights commissions in Cambodia – under the National Assembly, the Senate and the government – none is independent and capable of subscribing to the Paris Principles established in 1991 by the U.N. Human Rights Commission as the standard for national human rights bodies.

Many rights violations continue to occur, yet the so-called human rights commissions have not intervened or taken measures to address them. Only a transparent and truly independent institution can robustly support and defend human rights in Cambodia.

In Europe, victims of human rights abuses can complain to the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg, France. However, Cambodians have no place to voice their complaints if powerful officials abuse them. On many occasions they protest in front of the National Assembly but are turned back by riot police and their complaints are ignored.

However, Prime Minister Hun Sen has made a commitment to make Cambodia the fifth ASEAN nation to have a national human rights council. Such a council should be authorized to hear complaints from all bodies and given the power to mediate between parties. It must have the ability to advise parties of their rights, and make binding legal decisions. These may subsequently result in making recommendations to the authorities.

The commission must be able to operate independently, with its own budget and offices, separate from those of the government.

It is hoped that the advent of Human Rights Day, which is generally marked by the government and civil society, will raise awareness of rights violations and the need for a body to address this problem.

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(Chak Sopheap is a graduate student of peace studies at the International University of Japan. She runs a blog, www.sopheapfocus.com, in which she shares her impressions of both Japan and her homeland, Cambodia. She was previously advocacy officer of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.)