I have been offered an internship at the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association, for which I have to fundraise the money to cover cover all of the expenses getting to and whilst in Cambodia. I will be working with the organisation to investigate and intervene in cases of sex trafficking, rape and domestic violence involving women and children. This is a very worthy cause. I do appreciate that people are often asked to dig deep for charitable causes but I do hope that you can help me raise some money for the placement.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association was the first non-governmental organisation established to address the human rights situation in Cambodia and has since become a leader in the campaign to end governmental abuse of the rights of Cambodian civilians.

Cambodia's recent history has been coloured by political and civil conflict. The wars of the Indochina region, followed by the Khmer Rouge regime, killed over twenty percent of Cambodia's population. Now, during this time of rebuilding, the people of Cambodia are working to redevelop land, educate their children, and become active members of this democratic society.

ADHOC started its activities in December 1991. The association was founded by, a group of former political prisoners who had been detained in the late 1980s for peacefully advocating human rights and democracy. Its first office was in a Buddhist temple in Phnom Penh, supported by a small group of volunteers who believed in the importance of democracy and human rights. In 1992, ADHOC was officially registered with the government and began its ongoing appeal to the government of Cambodia to uphold the human rights and democratic liberties of its people.

Human rights violations are widespread in Cambodia. Between September 1999 and August 2000, ADHOC investigated almost 700 cases of human rights violations. Most of these cases concern government employees who torture, injure, kill, rape, illegally detain or otherwise harm a human being. Government officials regularly confiscate or prevent access to a person's personal property, land, farming or fishing supplies. Furthermore, political killings occur during the course of elections in order to prevent individuals from bringing civil or criminal cases to trial. Political opponents are threatened and intimidated and in some remote provinces we still find instances of intimidation of human rights workers.

In addition, children are sold into labour at young ages with no chance for education. Women who are victims of domestic violence do not get adequate help and representation in the legal system. Sex workers are treated by the police and the courts as though they have no basic rights. ADHOC investigates these cases and intervenes in order to bring the perpetrators to justice and to assist the victims and their relatives.

ADHOC, as a non-governmental organisation, is essential in providing legal assistance and counseling to victims of human rights abuses. ADHOC appeals on behalf of victims to the police, the courts, and the government to demonstrate its opposition to government impunity. As a way to help change the current situation, ADHOC works to educate members of civil society as to their rights, as well as to train police and other government workers in the laws that protect the rights of Cambodians. Also, as new laws are drafted and the shape of the future is drawn, ADHOC participates by lobbying on behalf of vulnerable groups, including women, ethnic minorities, and children. ADHOC also exposes the abuses of power to the general public through use of the media to help raise consciousness of the problems of human rights violations and impunity in Cambodia.

As you can see the work that I will be doing will be very beneficial to Cambodian nationals who have suffered human rights abuses, any donations to fund the placement would be greatly appreciated.