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Legal Aid of Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Joined July 2020

Ensuring access to justice and respect for rule of law through pro bono legal assistance to marginalized populations and protection of human rights.

Presence in: Cambodia
Focus: Community / Customary Land Rights, Criminal Justice, Environmental Justice, Family, Gender-based violence, Generalist Legal Services, Governance, Accountability & Transparency, Labor & Employment, Other, Women's Rights

The Legal Aid of Cambodia (LAC) seeks to entrench the rule of law within the Cambodian legal system and ensure access to justice, respect for the law and human rights, and effective legal and judicial reforms, while providing pro bono legal assistance for the poor and most vulnerable, advocating for systemic change in partnership with communities, and building the capacities of various stakeholders. The vision of LAC is to create a just and fair Cambodian society, where everyone enjoys equal rights before the law.

LAC’s main programs consist of the General Legal Aid Program, Child Justice Program, Women’s Justice Program, and Land Law and Natural Resources Program. LAC works on a wide range of human rights issues, and although its programs focus primarily on general legal aid, civil and political rights, children’s rights, women’s rights, and land and indigenous rights, the scope of its work expands into multiple sectors according to need.

Since its founding in 1995, LAC has tirelessly worked to represent a diverse range of individuals around the country, to help adopt and reform laws and policies, to enhance the justice system and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, to build the capacity of relevant actors in providing services and enforcing the law, to develop and disseminate resources for various audiences, and to assist and reinforce the civil society on legal matters. By utilizing varied strategic approaches and collaborating with important stakeholders, it continues to support and empower the communities towards a just and fair society.