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| Ministry of Justice Cooperation |
In November 2006, USAID signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cambodia's
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MOU signing Ceremony, witnessed by
Joseph A. Mussomeli, US Ambassador
to Cambodia, and Justice Minister
Ang Vong Vathana (Photo by USAID)
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Ministry of Justice, beginning a new level of cooperation between the Royal Government of Cambodia and USAID in the field of justice sector reform. The MOU provides for USAID to assist in court administration and other initiatives, and USAID has asked PRAJ to put the provisions into effect. Erin Soto, USAID Mission Director, and Secretary of State H.E. Y Dan signed the MOU. Minister of Justice H.E. Ang Vong Vathana witnessed the signing and spoke briefly as well.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Joseph Mussomelli expressed his support for the program by quoting classical Roman lawyer and philosopher Cicero, who wrote: “We are slaves to the law in order that we can be free, because if we are not slaves to the law then we are slaves to other men.”
Since the MOU signing, PRAJ has worked with the leadership of the court in Kandal Province
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USAID/EWMI-PRAJ and Kandal Court
leadership meeting to discuss the
Model Court House initial work plan
(Photo by USAID) |
to develop a model case filing and tracking system that will make the newly built Kandal Court become more transparent and more efficient in its operation. The activities are aimed primarily at improving the court’s case filing and tracking systems, improving the quality of juvenile justice, and increasing the amount of legal aid available to indigent defendants.
With PRAJ assistance, the Kandal Court recently completed the cataloguing and filing of all existing court files up to 2007. PRAJ is now working with
the Ministry of Justice
to develop a model exhibits management system, which will include procedural protocols.
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Library orientation session at Kandal
courthouse with PRAJ Consultant
Margaret Bywater, Court President
Khiev Sameth (far left), and other staff |
PRAJ has also trained relevant Kandal Court staff on management and maintenance procedures, as well as basic research methods and library use. PRAJ also assisted the Ministry of Justice to prepare an action plan for meeting the long-term library needs of the court.
In addition, PRAJ recently assisted the Kandal Court to install public information displays outside the courthouse in an effort to improve transparency. One board lists civil dispute filing fees and provides the criteria for waiving fees for indigent complainants. Another board lists the rights of defendants under the newly passed Criminal Procedure Code. A third board provides information on the rights of accused persons, minors, and victims of crime. The public reaction to the installation of these boards was so positive that the Ministry sought PRAJ's assistance to install the same types of boards at every courthouse in the country. In response, PRAJ is assisting the Ministry to install public information boards at the entrances of all of Cambodia 's provincial and municipal courthouses. The Ministry of Justice sees the initiative as one component in a larger strategy aimed at providing the public greater access to information, improving the transparency of the court system, and improving the public's perception of the courts.
Related links:
http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/usaid_model_courthouse_program.html
http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/information_boards.html
http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/sp_052108b.html
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