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IBJ Collaborates with the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia to hold a Workshop Defender Training Program in Phnom Penh
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
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On August 27th, 2009, IBJ Cambodia and the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) joined together to hold a workshop defender training program in Phnom Penh. Held at the Naga World Cambodia Hotel, this highly successful event tallied up a total of 94 participants to discuss the difficulties of implementing the new criminal code procedure in Cambodia. The main objective being an overhaul of the current knowledgebase that runs throughout the defender foundation, through the combined use of past experience from both lawyers as well as law makers and law enforcement officials.

Kicking off the workshop were speeches by IBJ Fellow Ouk Vandeth as well as the Chief of the BAKC H.E. Chiv Song Hak, which led into the first of two main sessions, where lawyers and government officials introduced the procedures of accusations within the court, and evaluated the difficulties lawyers may face in relation to these accusations.

In the second half of the event, Mr. Hing Thirith, a Prosecutor from the Supreme Court, was the head speaker and articulated the procedure of investigation that takes place when in the role of an Investigating Judge. Following this, a lawyer of the Royal Government of Cambodia spoke of the challenges a lawyer faces in the investigation stage

We saw an immense amount of interest from the crowd, with many questions being asked and problems being solved, with the facilitators, the speakers, and anyone else who may have been knowledgeable providing support through this portion of the workshop.

IBJ’s first collaboration with the BAKC resulted in a great achievement. To wind down the final moments of the workshop, the Secretary of State of MOJ, H.E. Sam Sophal, thanked all of the participants for such a keen and engaging experience, and expressed his enthusiasm with regards to the great success of the event. Through the continued alliance between IBJ and the BAKC we will be able to improve and upgrade the knowledge and awareness required for lawyers in relation to the accusation procedure as well as the investigative procedures in the system.
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First of all, we would like to thank you all for your support of IBJ’s Cambodia Country Program. With your help, we have been able to continue and expand our work in Cambodia. Through our work in Cambodia, we're able to assist more and more indigent accused, providing them with legal assistance as well as rights awareness. Your support is vital to the continued success of our Cambodia program!

Basic background about IBJ Cambodia:
Since 2001, IBJ has been helping Cambodia to rebuild its justice system by organizing trainings sessions, rights awareness campaigns, roundtables and providing legal aid services. Through 3 offices located in Phnom Penh, Takeo and Kampong Chhnang, IBJ holds seminars and training sessions throughout the country to help train attorneys and inform citizens of their rights.

What's New?
Since you last heard from us, IBJ’s Cambodia Program, lead by IBJ Fellow Ouk Vandeth, has been making great progress.
Thanks again for all your support!

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Pictures:

• Government officials and representatives of the Bar Association (JPG)