Cambodia Health and Human Rights Alliance (CHHRA)

Partner Since: 2004
Project Title: Advocacy for Community Actions in the Context of Human Rights, especially the Rights to Health
Project Area: Pursat
Summary: This project is a continuation of USAID-funded efforts over the past several years. CHHRA trains village representatives to advocate on behalf of their villages for improved functioning of local health centers and the Pursat Hospital. Aims of the project are to:
  • Increase the knowledge and advocacy skills of Village Representatives (VRs)in Pursat to actively articulate the rights to health for their community members, especially women and children
  • Increase awareness among the villagers, particularly women and children, about their rights related to health
  • Strengthen organizational governance and management to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization

About the Organization: CHHRA, a non-sectarian, non-political NGO formed in March 1995 by former staff of the American Refugee Committee (ARC).  The right to health, including the right to health care, is not well recognized in Cambodia.  CHHRA's mandate is to identify and advocate for human rights related to health and to implement projects that work to change abuses identified.  CHHRA remains unique in its mandate.
CHHRA has 11 project and support staff as of September 2004. The Executive Director spends much time in Pursat to develop the current project.
In 2002, CHHRA began a program in Pursat Province to promote rights of women and children to health.  Initial activities were to raise awareness of key stakeholders.  A training curriculum and Information, Education and Communication training materials were developed and used to teach villagers in 3 communes within 2 health centers catchments areas.  In 2003, the project moved to involving communities in demanding their own rights and the Village Representative Project was begun.  Forty-two Village Representatives (VRs) in 9 villages were selected, trained, and mentored through initial village initiated actions to improve health in their village.  This project continues with EWMI-HRCP support. Organizationally, CHHRA has taken steps to ensure it remains a strong group, clear in its mandate.  CHHRA seeks to continually improve skills of staff and various staff members have participated in management trainings. CHHRA participates in several networks:
  • Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) since 1995
  •Cambodian Human Rights and HIV/AIDS Network (CHRHAN), a network comprised of about 30 local NGOs working in the fields of health or human rights.  CHRAN advocates on critical issues affecting the rights and welfare of people living with HIV/AIDS;
  •Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC);
CHHRA continues to facilitate the Prison Health Sectoral Group and network with institutions involved in prison health care and prisoner rights.  CHHRA attends meetings of HACC and MEDICAM.  And CHHRA provides technical assistance and cooperates with other NGOS.

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Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC)

Partner Since: 2005 (plus bridge funding in late 2003)
Project Title: Investigation and advocacy on serious human rights violation cases and issues in Cambodia
Project Area: Hot spots in Cambodia
Summary: CHRAC, or the Action Committee, works to promote human rights, peace and democracy. It is an alliance of 18 neutral, non-partisan, local non-governmental NGOs in Cambodia. With funding by USAID, CHRAC has been active over several years to conduct investigations of serious human rights violations committed mostly by influential and powerful government agents. Investigations often focus on political, social and environmental issues. CHRAC also engages in legal and diplomatic advocacy on serious cases and provides information through media/press statements.

About The Organazation: The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) known as the Action Committee was established in 1994 to promote human rights, peace and democracy. It is now an alliance of 18 neutral, non-partisan, local non-governmental NGOs in Cambodia: LICADHO, ADHOC, VIGILANCE, KKKHRA, KID, IDA, GENEROUS, CCPCR, CHHRA, KKKHRDA, CHRTF, KYA, KSA, CDP, CWCC, LAC, CKIMHRDA and Outreach.
It is a critical forum through the group can jointly investigate and press for actions on serious human rights cases which may be too complicated or politically sensitive for any organization tackle on its own. The Action Committee has been conducting investigations of serious human rights violations committed mostly by the government agents who are most influential. Legal and diplomatic measures were undertaken to resolve such issues. It has also responded to various national issues, including political, social and environmental issues while statements of concern have been issued through the media.
CHRAC has worked effectively for 10 years as a coalition that advocates and intervenes in serious human rights violation cases and in social policy and law issues related to human rights, enhances staff security and access in investigating and advocating on serious human rights violation cases through invoking a large number of partners to participate; and builds members capacity in key areas of the common work together.

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