HE Senior Minister Keo Remy and HE Minister Chea Somethy Visited and Inspected Human Rights Situation at Three Centres under MoSVY
HE Senior Minister Keo Remy and HE Minister Chea Somethy Visited and Inspected Human Rights Situation at Three Centres under MoSVY
Kandal province: On the morning of 5 March 2025, HE Keo Remy, Senior Minister, President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) and HE Chea Somethy, Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (SVY), accompanied by the dignitaries and civil servants of the CHRC and the MoSVY, as well as representatives of the General Department of Prisons and Kandal Provincial Administration, visited three centres under the MoSVY, including the National Centre for Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation, Youth Rehabilitation Centre and Mental Rehabilitation Centre, all of which have been providing treatment and care and rehabilitation services to a total of 2,624 victims (277 females), located in Bar Kou village, Bar Kou commune, Kandal Stung district, Kandal province.
Delivering a speech on that occasion, HE Senior Minister Keo Remay praised HE Chea Somethy, Minister of the MoSVY, for being an exemplary and wise leader who prioritises the well-being of subordinates, demonstrates pious leadership, and makes significant contributions to national development, and specifically for the efforts in promoting and protecting fundamental rights, ensuring access to education, and providing vocational training to those in centers under the Ministry’s care. At the same time, he also positively assessed the management of the three centres and advised the dignitaries, officials and volunteers to fulfil their roles and responsibilities responsibly and to absolutely refrain from any acts of inhumanity, degradation, or rights violation, so as not to affect both the institution and the nation. Furthermore, he instructed the victims who are receiving services to adhere to the internal rules, follow the officials’ instructions, and be committed to overcoming all obstacles in order that they transform into responsible citizens and family members by abstaining from drug use and violent activities, such as gang involvement, which causes social unrest and fear among tourists, resulting in socio-economic decline and household instability. On that occasion, he expressed his deep gratitude to Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and Samdech Kittiprittbandit Bun Rany Hun Sen and the Royal Government of the 7th mandate, under the leadership of Samdech Moha Bovor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, who always takes great care to promote the human rights sector in Cambodia, guided by the principle of “(Leave No One Behind),” ensuring that no one suffers from victimisation or starvation, and adhere to the proactive principle (by taking preventive measures first)” to guarantee that all citizens have equal access to protection and social services.
HE Senior Minister Keo Remy also stated that so far the CHRC and the MoSVY have collaborated effectively, both formally and informally, to establish mechanisms for routine visits aimed at monitoring the human rights situation in centres or organisations under MoSVY’s jurisdiction, and to conduct investigations upon receipt of complaints, and to work together to locate centres, or organisations that can provide support for children accompanying their mothers in prisons, and for helpless minors.
The CHRC and the MoSVY will install complaints boxes at the three mentioned centres to enhance their collaboration and future initiatives, and explore the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the General Department of Investigation and Human Rights Education of the CHRC and the National Institute of Social Affairs of the MoSVY, focusing on educating and raising awareness about “human rights and law” among students at the institute.
Finally, HE Senior Minister Keo Remy donated funds, food and medication to the three centres for daily use. The delegation inspected the management practices and living conditions of the victims at these centres.
