<p>We, the undersigned human rights NGOs, human rights defenders and women human rights defenders of Asia, deeply regret the conviction of Mr. Sam Chankea, provincial coordinator of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC). Mr. Chankea is a human rights defender active in land rights issues in Kampong Chhnang province. He was charged with defamation under Article 305 of the New Penal Code by the KDC International Company, a development company allegedly owned by Lauk Chumteav Chea Kheng, the wife of the Minister of Mining and Energy in Cambodia.</p>

<p>Prejudice against Cambodians is bubbling as border clashes continue sporadically and villagers flee back and forth.</p> <p>While some national media are quick to cast Cambodians as people not to be trusted, locals in Si Sa Ket have a more complex view of their neighbours. This doesn't stop some national papers espousing archetypal bias towards Cambodians, though such popular misconceptions may backfire and hinder mending ties between the people of the two nations well into the future.</p>

<p>Both Thai and Cambodian leaders may say it was the other party that started the military intrusion into their territory, which led to death and injuries over the past few days. But the casualties were truly needless. This is not a time for Thais to unquestioningly unite behind their leaders but a time for calm, inquiry, scepticism and firm denunciation of war, no matter which side actually started it.</p>

<p>Yellow-shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul has urged the Thai military to seize Cambodian territory, including Angkor Wat, to barter for Preah Vihear Temple.</p>

<p>Holding on to narrow nationalism means Thais have no recognition of how &quot;terrorising Thailand were to Cambodia&quot; over the centuries, said noted historian Benedict Anderson, a renowned expert of Southeast Asian history, just hours before the two kingdoms found themselves in a deadly military clash again on Friday.</p>

<p>The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and FORUM-ASIA, and the undersigned organizations, are deeply troubled by a Cambodia government plan to pass a restrictive law to regulate the activities of local and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working inside the country.</p>

<p>Representatives of local Thais and Cambodians along the border at Preah Vihear Temple have asked the National Human Rights Commission to help local people affected by the border dispute.</p> <p>On 13 Sept, representatives from both sides of the border and the People&rsquo;s Empowerment Foundation held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.</p>

<p>Survivors of rape in Cambodia face limited access to justice, medical services and counselling, Amnesty International said in a report issued today, as rapes of women and girls appear to be increasing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Radio Free Asia (RFA) reporter was charged with disinformation&nbsp;for broadcasting a report on a dispute between a Cham Muslim&nbsp;community leader and members of his mosque, media reports said.</p>

<p>The massacre of 31 journalists in Maguindanao, the Philippines, on 23 November 2009, most graphically illustrates the violence and impunity that threaten journalists not only in the Philippines, but throughout the region.</p>

<p>On 18 Jan, the Mekong Migration Network (MMN) sent a letter to the government and relevant agencies to oppose the recent deportation of Cambodian beggars and call on the Thai Government to immediately put in place effective and appropriate screening processes to prevent the deportation of migrants who have the right to protection.</p>

<p>Phnom Penh, Geneva, 2 December 2009 - The first Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Cambodia was conducted by the UN Human Rights Council in its Working Group session held on Tuesday 1 December 2009 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The UPR is a new mechanism that allows a review of the human rights records of all 192 UN member States once every four years. During yesterday&rsquo;s 3-hour proceedings, the Cambodian delegation led by Mr.</p>