CJR’s Cambodian Court Monitoring Program (CCMP) started in late 2009 to review court proceedings in Cambodia.  Our CCMP monitors are a veteran team of lawyers and Cambodian legal specialists who have been involved in court watch projects at other NGOs for a number of years. 

CCMP observes the courts' compliance with Cambodian laws as well as international fair trial standards (such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).  Based on its observations, CCMP issues a report that highlights possible breaches of fair trial rights.  For each area of concern, the report describes the legal framework, explains CCMP's factual findings, gives examples of well-conducted trials, and makes recommendations for reform.  These recommendations are directed to specific actors who are in positions to affect change.  CCMP’s reports are published in the CCMP Bulletin, CJR’s annual report, CJR’s upcoming Fair Trial Handbook, and on our website.

The overall objective of CCMP is to assist relevant actors, namely the Council for Legal and Judicial Reform, the courts of law, and the NGO community, in identifying shortcomings and in reforming legal and judicial system of Cambodia.  CWP also aims to provide the general public with information on the judicial system and the rights of any person coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

Five courts of law are currently monitored by CJR, namely the Supreme Court, the Appeals Court, the Municipal Court of Phnom Penh, and the provincial courts of Kandal and Battambang.  The majority of cases monitored are criminal in nature; some high profile civil cases are also monitored. See photos of our work.

Download the Fair Trial Handbook The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), East-West Management Institute (EWMI), and Diakonia, the sponsors of this book, have generously allowed CJR to share this important publication with the general public through our website.  The handbook was created in 2007 by current CJR staff then employed by the Center for Social Development, which, at that time recieved substantial support from USAID, EWMI and Diakonia in a variety of projects.