Over a decade ago, Mr. Sophea began his career as a champion of good governance while working as an interpreter for United National Transitional Authority (UNTAC) experts seeking to hold democratic elections in Cambodia.  He continued on as a journalist and later developed his management skills in executive positions in both the private and public sector.  For the past three years before helping to found CJR, he served as Deputy Director at the Center for Social Development. 

Mr. Sophea holds a BA in education in English from the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Institute of Foreign Languages and an MPA (masters in public administration) from the University of Cambodia.  He has been sponsored for training in transitional justice, conflict management, democracy, the rule of law and security in the UK, Denmark, Japan and Taiwan as a Chevening and DANIDA Fellow, among others. 

He has been consulted as an expert on issues of decentralization and promoting good governance and the rule of law by Cambodia’s Ministry of the Interior and various non-governmental organizations.  He will further his capacity for leadership at CJR through sponsored training in South Africa and will also represent CJR at a conference in Germany in 2009.  Mr. Sophea most looks forward to “contributing to good governance and the rule of law in Cambodia through an organization that we have the opportunity to shape starting from its very founding”.  He adds, “I am so excited to be here, a part of this team”.      

Since returning from the United States (USA) to his home country of Cambodia for the first time ten years ago, Mr. SENG Daravuth has dedicated much time to pro-bono service here. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine and California State University, Long Beach (USA), where he obtained a BA in Art History, Mr. Daravuth's efforts led to the founding of the 5K Annual Spirit Walk in Long Beach, California, originally part of a campaign to fund the Angkor Hospital for Children, today recognized as Cambodia's leading hospital. He then worked in Siem Riep for two years training hospital staff and also volunteering for Medicines Sans Frontiers.

Returning to the USA, Mr. Seng gleaned further experience serving as project director for the Cambodian Association of America's Tobacco Control Section. In 2005 he earned his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law (California, USA) and soon after gained membership to the American Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association and California Bar Association. His legal work has involved service to the Asian Law Caucas' Immigration Law Clinic and other California-based firms. In addition, Mr. Daravuth has recieved training in alternative dispute resolution and was certified by LA Country Bar Dispute Resolution Services.

Mr. Daravuth is co-founder of Neary Khmer, has served as a translator for several Cambodian films and as a board member of the Cambodian Coordinating Council in the USA, the Hang S. Ngor Foundation, and the Southeast Asian Archive at the University of California, Irvine (USA).

Ms. Seda supports CJR by relying on skills honed in her over twenty years of experience in administrative management.  After obtaining her BA in management from the National Institute of Management in Phnom Penh, Ms. Seda’s career grew to involve work at several banks and, most recently, at a solar energy company.  She describes her reasons for joining the CJR team as inevitable because she “…always supported civil society, democracy and free speech so strongly.  [She] had been listening to the radio and open forums broadcast by NGOs since the UNTAC years and felt that [she] had to pursue work at CJR as soon as [she] learned about the opportunity”. 

Ms. Samphors brings a strong background in accounting and finance to her position at CJR.  She has worked for nearly a decade in account management for various NGOs as well as in the private sector in the shipping industry.  She attained her BA at the National Institute of Management in Phnom Penh and furthered her training through professional development at the capital’s Banana Center.  She is currently enrolled as an MA student at the Royal University of Law and Economics where she is studying finance and banking.  Samphors says, “I came to CJR because of I want to learn more about democracy and the rule of law in Cambodia.  I am proud to be a part of this organization”. 

Ms. Bombasaro-Brady has previously worked with human rights and education organizations in the United States, Peru, South Africa and Thailand. There, she was principally involved in program evaluation, development and publishing.  She obtained a BA in history and sociology magna cum laude from Wheaton College (Massachusetts, USA) and is currently taking the online course components for her MA in museum studies from Harvard University (Massachusetts, USA) and an MA in communications from Johns Hopkins University (Maryland, USA).  Jennifer says that she is “…eager to share CJR’s important work with others and to learn more from victims about their desire for collective reparations, particularly involving learning centers and memorial sites”.

Mr. KHY Lida, an invaluable asset to CJR, has honed his experience as a web developer and IT technician for over three years.  He achieved his bachelor's degree in computer science from Norton University in Cambodia and soon thereafter began work at a local NGO.  He has also volunteered at the Khmer Youth Association teaching students how to use various computer software.  Mr. Lida is pleased to work at CJR where he says he is "happy to use my skills to help the Cambodian people".

While working for five years as a coordinator and producer of the law program on the radio station 102 FM, Ms. Chandina completed her BA in law from Chamroeun University of Poly-Technology (CUP) in Phnom Penh.  Since then, she has gained over a decade of further experience in producing, managing and hosting Cambodian radio programs such as 105 FM, and the Women’s Media Center on 102 FM.  Chandina, known as “the Golden Voice of Cambodia,” explains that she is “…excited about work at CJR so that she can help improve justice and develop [her] beloved Khmer society”.

Mr. Vannak received his BA in management information systems from the National Institute of Management in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  He has since received further overseas training in journalism and democracy in Sweden by the Institute for Further Education for Journalists.  He has also engaged in several trainings on radio spot producing and interview tactics at the Women’s Media Center of Cambodia sponsored by the British Broadcasting World Service Trust.  He has been a radio journalist since 2004 and worked both as a producer for the Voice of Justice Radio at the Center for Social Development and at the Women’s Media Center as a producer of youth programs on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, tobacco and more.  He is eager to continue his work at CJR and says, “I can’t wait to have our own studio here.  Our team has lots of great ideas for new shows and our audience will be responsive to discussing issues that have emerged recently relating to democracy, civic engagement and the Khmer Rouge Tribunal”. 

Mr. Thol completed a bachelor of arts degree in Khmer literature from the Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2000 and soon afterward began his career in media.  He gained further expertise with human rights and media training courses and worked as a reporter for Kampot area newspapers, in TV and radio for the Kampot Provincial Information Department as well as at the respected Khmer newspaper, the Koh Santepheap based in Phnom Penh. 

Ms. Idane earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and banking at the Royal University of Law and Economics and has been certified in financial accounting by the Vanda Accounting Center.  Before coming to CJR to build her skills in radio and communications, she worked at the International Language School (Cambodia) as an English teacher.

Ms. Wilson is a candidate for a Masters of Arts degree in international development studies from George Washington University (Washington DC, USA), concentrating in women's advocacy in South and Southeast Asia.  She has conducted research on women's political participation and civil society development in Cambodia, and hopes to continue this research during her time at CJR.  Ms. Wilson received a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University (Washington DC, USA) in 2007, and worked as a teacher in Thailand in 2008 - 2009. 

Mr. SOK Leang’s experience working with victim participation, particularly civil parties of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal began following his education at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). There, he earned a BA in Khmer literature, a second BA in education in English at RUPP’s Institute of Foreign Languages, and an MA in sociology-anthropology.  He spent several years working as a teacher, a translator, a volunteer and as a research fellow at the Center for Khmer Studies (CKS) before delving into work organizing public forums on justice and national reconciliation, seminars on civil parties and facilitating the filing of complaints to the ECCC by interested  Khmer Rouge victims.  Mr. SOK Leang has received training in transitional justice and international humanitarian law in Singapore, Indonesia and South Africa and will soon further his professional development as a sponsored participant representing CJR at a program in Germany.

Ms. Sotheary, who began her career in education, social work and counseling, holds a BA in teaching English as a second language from Build Bright University in Phnom Penh.  She has now been serving as the psycho-social needs of Cambodians for nearly four years and was instrumental in producing a comprehensive guide called the Understanding Trauma in Cambodia handbook, generously funded by DED. Ms. Sotheary is currently furthering her training as a masters degree candidate at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, where she is studying clinical psychology and counseling.  She has attended several training programs abroad on human rights, peace and security, human rights and transitional justice in post-conflict countries and workshops on psycho- traumatology and therapy. Ms. Sotheary is “…committed to working at CJR because [she] wants to continue the work started at other organizations set on providing psycho-social support for survivors [of the Khmer Rouge] and their families and help contributing sustainable peace to Cambodian society”.

Mr. Sothea obtained his LLB (bachelors degree in law) from the Royal University of Law and Economics (Cambodia).  He has since volunteered for the Center for Social Development as a court monitor and interned for six months at the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (the Khmer Rouge Tribunal) as a court and a case file officer.  Recently, Mr. Sothea has proved a dedicated intern, assisting Mr. SOK Leang in outreach in six provinces around Cambodia as part of CJR's Khmer Rouge Victims’ Participation Program.     

Ms. Vibol is in her final year of study for a bachelor's degree in psychology from the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP).  Her pursuit of training courses in social work, human rights and mental and sexual health and social work with LICADHO, YRDP and CamboKids Association demonstrates her initiative to provide quality public service.  Prior to coming to CJR, Ms. Vibol has worked for the micro-finance institution, Amret, conducted research for the RUPP's Students Association, taught English as a volunteer for the Palm Tree Foundation and worked with the Japanese Rainbow Bridge Project to teach children about health and sanitation.  

Ms. Sreytouch is in her final year of study for a bachelor's degree in psychology from the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP).  She has extensive training in health including successful completion of a social work program in health education with the Japanese Rainbow Bridge Project, courses on mental health care for children with CamboKids Association, sexual health/HIV courses by YCC, and certification as a youth peer group educator on HIV/AIDS with TASK.  She has worked as a researcher for the micro-finance institution, Amret, and the RUPP Students Association as well as an English teacher at the WELL School, Phnom Penh Thmei Center and the Palm Tree Foundation. 

Ms. Sentilles has just completed her first year of law school at the University of Texas in Austin (Texas, USA). She has a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Yale University (Connecticut, USA). Prior to attending law school, Della worked as a journalist in a small town in Idaho, USA and spent six months traveling through Southeast Asia. What she saw and learned about the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia has had a lasting impact and is ultimately why she chose to study law. When not studying, Della enjoys cooking, running, watching live music and doting on her new nephew. She is thrilled to be working with CJR this summer. She looks forward to seeing a country that she loves continue to heal.

Ms. Goodwin is currently a graduate student at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University (Massachusetts, USA). Her studies focus on human rights law, human security, and international organizations and have included research on transitional justice in Cambodia. Before beginning her current degree program, Laura worked for an international education firm which specializes in study abroad programs in China, giving her the opportunity to work from both the United States and Beijing. Laura graduated from American University (Washington DC, USA) in 2008 with a BA degree in international studies; while in DC, she worked with various human rights non-profits on initiatives ranging from immigration and asylum cases to genocide activism.

Originally from Ontario, Canada, Ms. Kyriazis, is studying law with a focus on international human rights, environmental and indigenous law at the University of Toronto.  She obtained a bachelor of science in natural resources from Cornell University (New York, USA) and studied abroad in Costa Rica.  Following her experience in Central America, she became passionate about human rights and international development. Her love for Latin America inspired her to spend six months in Central and South America following graduation. There she worked as a student exchange leader teaching art, ecology and Spanish and helping to develop community service/cultural exchange projects and activities for North American and European youth.

Mr. Lochtefeld is currently in his final semester at Richmond University (UK) where he is completing a BA in international relations and minors in history and political science. He has worked as an English teacher in New Delhi, India and in business administration in the US and Singapore. Inspired by a trip to Cambodia in which he viewed Duch's trial, Mr. Lochtefeld desires to learn more about modern Cambodian history and to become involved in human rights work.

CHOU Vineath, one of CJR's finest lawyers, managed the court monitoring program at the Center for Social Development (CSD) for two years between 2007 - 2009. Today, she is the manager of CJR's Cambodian Court Monitoring Program (CCMP) and she simultaneously serves as a monitor at the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) for the Asian International Justice Initiative.

Vineath is a member of the Bar Association of Kingdom of Cambodia and holds an LLB from the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE, Cambodia) as well as a degree from the French office of the University of Lumiere Lyon II (Cambodia). She completed her Master of Law (LLM, private law) at RULE in 2008 and is currently a law lecturer at the National University of Management (Cambodia).

Vineath has extensive experience in legal and human rights advocacy, having conducted litigation, negotiations, written legal advice, provided others with legal training and organized numerous community events. Prior to working at CSD she gleaned three years of experience at the Public Interest Legal Advocacy Project at the Community Legal Education Center in Phnom Penh.

Vineath has traveled extensively overseas to continue her legal and human rights education. She was a recipient of a scholarship from the Bar Association of Bourges (France), from the European Union (EU) in the EU Visitor Program, and has participated in legal training workshops to East Timor, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Mr. Sophal earned both his LLB (bachelors degree in law) and later his LLM (masters degree in law) focusing on private law, from the Royal University of Law and Economics (Cambodia).  He also underwent further professional training including Khmer Rouge Tribunal monitoring techniques from the Cambodian Defend Project, criminal code and human trafficking law at the Center for Social Development (CSD), children’s rights and child trafficking and human rights at LICADO, political reporting at the Cambodia Communication Institute, and labor law training at the Ministry of Labour.  He began his career at LICADHO, working both as a prison researcher and monitor in Kampong Thom Province and later as a human rights monitor in Phnom Penh for four years.  He then spent the next two years working as a legal officer in charge of the legal database and as a senior court monitor at the CSD.  Mr. Sophal says that he “wants to build his career working for justice for Cambodia at CJR because this team has courage”.   

Ms. Kimmao graduated with an LLB (bachelors degree in law) from the Royal University of Law and Economics (Cambodia) in 2004.  She received further legal training in criminal procedure at the Center for Social Development (CSD) and in legislation, the judiciary and international legal instruments at the Khmer Institute of Democracy (KID).  Before joining CJR she worked as a program officer for the Khmer Rouge Trial Project at KID and as a court monitor at CSD.  She is happy to work at CJR because, “it is an NGO that represents promoting human rights and justice in Cambodia through judicial reform.  I want to contribute my capabilities in the legal field to this organization”.

Ms. Charya won a full scholarship to study for her LLB (bachelors degree in law) at the Royal University of Law and Economics (Cambodia), a testament to her outstanding academic performance.  She participated in trainings on working with sex offenders and on human trafficking at the Center for Social Development (CSD).   She worked for two years at CSD as a court monitor, for two years as a volunteer and later as an administrative assistant at the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, and as a volunteer advocate for Gender and Development for Cambodia.  She looks forward to being part of the CJR team where she hopes to “monitor rights for all to benefit the public”.

Ms. Phalin completed her LLB (bachelors degree in law) from the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE, Cambodia) as well as from the  University of Lumiere Lyon II (Cambodia).  She studied French at the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Institute of Foreign Languages and English at the Australian Centre for Education.  She has undergone a multitude of additional trainings including work in criminal procedure at the Center for Social Development (CSD), conflict management and administrative skills by the Khmer Institute of Democracy (KID), and proposal development for fundraising by the Social Development Agency.  She worked as a court monitor at the CSD for over one year, as a facilitator in the Youth for Justice and Reconciliation Project for Youth for Peace, and at KID for one year as a writer on the promotion and preservation of human rights in rural Cambodia and in a number of volunteer capacities.  She writes that she is “appreciative of my opportunity to serve Cambodia through work for CJR and to move together for justice”.

Mr. Raksmeysereivong earned his LLB (bachelors degree in law) and then an LLM (masters degree in law) focusing on land law and patrimony from Phnom Penh’s Royal University of Law and Economics (Cambodia) in cooperation with the University of Lumiere Lyon III of France.  He received further training in criminal procedure at the Center for Social Development, in human rights and land law at LICADHO and ADHOC and various other trainings with the Cambodian Researchers for Development and the Cambodia Youth’s Future Organization.  Prior to coming to CJR, he worked for nearly two years as a court monitor at the Center for Social Development, participated in report writing as a national volunteer observer during the 2007 commune elections and served as an intern at the Supreme Appellate Court of Cambodia.  He joins us eagerly saying, “I’m very happy to work at CJR because I want to share my knowledge and participate in social justice and reform in my country.  We should all enjoy equal rights before the law.”

Mr. San earned his LLB (bachelor’s degree in law) from Khemarak University in Battambang, Cambodia while working for four years as an investigator for Protection of Juvenile Justice (PJJ).  He pursued further training on implementing law to combat sexual exploitation and child trafficking and on gender awareness through Gender and Development for Cambodia and PJJ.  Later, while working for two years as a court monitor for the Center for Social Development (CSD), he studied Cambodia’s new Code of Criminal Procedure.  Ms. San says that he is “so proud to be a staff member at CJR, especially because I personally want to see the Cambodian justice system changed in accordance with our recommendations.  I want to see the authorities, such as the judicial police, prosecutors and court officials, respecting Fair Trail Rights.  These rights are so important for our country’s future.  Together, we can build this social change.”

Mr. Weber has just completed his first year at Stanford Law School (California, USA).  In 2009, he graduated from Washington and Lee University (Virginia, USA) with a bachelor of science in physics-engineering and a bachelor of arts in politics with a concentration in poverty studies.  An internship with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (USA) impacted his strong commitment to public interest law.  As he continued through his undergraduate university's poverty program, he found himself particularly drawn to international human rights.  A course in comparative genocide studies introduced him to the world of international criminal prosecution as well as the history of the Khmer Rouge and the ECCC.  In 2011, Mr. Weber plans to begin a joint degree program that will add a masters degree in international policy studies to his juris doctorate.  He hopes to forge a career in public international law working for governments, NGOs, tribunals, and international organizations that will contribute to the expansion and protection of human rights.

Mr. Weikel has just completed his first year of law school at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (USA).  He graduated from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service (USA) with a BA in international economics focusing on growth and development.  While in college, he spent a semester in Hungary studying countries transitioning from command to free market economies.  Since then, he has had a strong interest in examining the rule of law and its impact on development.  Prior to law school, he taught middle school for two years.  He looks forward to helping CJR's efforts to promote reconciliation.

Mr. Vuth is in his fourth year as a law student in the joint law program between the Royal University of Law and Economics and the University of Lummiere Lyon II (French office in Phnom Penh).  Prior to working at CJR he taught French privately and represented the Ecolier du Monde Association, an organization that supports education for disadvantaged Cambodian children.  Mr. Vuth also served as an intern for the International Bridge to Justice, where he was involved in criminal case analysis. 

Mr. Dany is currently a bachelor’s degree student in the joint law program between the Royal University of Law and Economics and the University of Lummiere Lyon II (French office in Phnom Penh).  He has previously volunteered as a lawyer’s assistant at the International Bridge of Justice and at the Centre de Recherche Application en Driot.  Mr. Dany speaks French and enjoys reading in his free time.

Mr. Monirath is a fourth year law student at the Royal University of University of Law and Economics.  Before working at CJR he was involved in outreach activities at the Women of Hope.  As a Youth Outreach Educator, he worked to combat child trafficking, other forms of abuse and to raise awareness about family planning and sexual health.