Briefing Note on Business and Human Rights: Preventing, Mitigating and Remedying Land-Related Rights Violations in the Kingdom of Cambodia

The purpose of this Briefing Note is to identify key issues pertaining to business human rights in Cambodia through the analysis of three land-related conflicts, and to propose recommendations in order to prevent and remedy related human rights violations. CCHR, in collaboration with AAC, selected three cases to focus on: the land dispute involving indigenous communities and rubber company Socfin-KCD in Bu Sra Commune, Pech Chreada District, Mondulkiri Province ('Socfin-KCD case’); one involving villagers and Mitr Phol Sugar Company in Koun Kriel Commune, Samraong District, Oddar Meanchey Province (‘Mitr Phol case’); and finally, the land dispute involving villagers and the MDS Company in the MDS Thmor Da SEZ in Thma Da Commune, Veal Veaeng District, Pursat Province (‘MDS case’). This Briefing Note is based on desk and field research conducted since January 2017. CCHR’s team went on six field research missions that took place between March and May 2017, as well as May and June 2018, to meet CSOs working on the three cases. In addition, CCHR conducted extensive desk research in order to identify applicable legal standards, monitor cases-related developments, and conduct a detailed mapping of the structures of the companies involved.