HE Ith Rady presided over the opening and closing ceremonies of the national seminar on “The Right to Freedom,” 20-21 October 2025.
HE Ith Rady presided over the opening and closing ceremonies of the national seminar on “The Right to Freedom,” 20-21 October 2025.
Representing HE Keo Remy, Senior Minister, President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), HE Ith Rady, CHRC Vice President, presided over the opening and closing ceremonies of the national seminar on “The Right to Freedom” under the cooperation between the CHRC and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia (OHCHR), with the participation of approximately 40 individuals, including judges, prosecutors from 6 courts of appeal (Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Prey Veng, and Kampong Chhnang), volunteer human rights lawyers, and CHRC civil servants.
The seminar was held over two days from 20-21 October 2025, at Sun and Moon Riverside Hotel, Phnom Penh, to (1) strengthen the practical implementation of national and international standards for the right to freedom among justice actors in the performance of their daily work, (2) contribute to the development of a consistent approach among judges, prosecutors, and lawyers to ensure the consistent implementation of the right to freedom in the justice system, (3) identify possible measures to reduce prison overcrowding, while at the same time ensuring legal standards regarding pre-trial detention, implementing appropriate sentencing principles, and increasing the use of alternatives to detention.
Taking this opportunity, HE Ith Rady emphasised that, “International law and Cambodian national law guarantee the principle that the charged shall be free, and pre-trial detention may only be permitted in exceptional cases and if certain conditions are met. Judges should carefully assess each individual’s case to determine whether those specific conditions are met and provide solid legal facts when deciding pre-trial detention.”
Throughout the seminar, knowledge was exchanged via presentations covering (1) international laws and standards for the right to freedom and detention, (2) detention and the right to freedom under Cambodian law, (3) the present condition of detention facilities in Cambodia, and (4) juvenile justice focusing on diversion and rehabilitation procedures. At the same time, the seminar also provided a platform for participants to collaborate in groups, discussing case studies to exchange experiences, address practical challenges, and propose suitable solutions.
Finally, he highly appreciated and praised the participants for their enthusiastic involvement in exchanging experiences and providing inputs to further enhance law enforcement efficiency.
