Center for Study of Humanitarian Law (CSHL) - Cambodia, Phnom Penh

Find out about our PACE partner, The Center for the Study of Humanitarian Law (CSHL), a university-based research centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Center for the Study of Humanitarian Law (CSHL) is part of the Royal University of Law & Economics (RULE) in Cambodia.

CSHL is an independent and non-monitoring university-based research centre committed to providing high quality education in human rights and international humanitarian law to Cambodian students. PACE students have been supporting course curricula development to be used by RULE academics, along with institutions throughout Cambodia and ASEAN.

The RULE was first established in 1948. It was the first post-secondary level institution in Cambodia. In 1953, RULE began a three year, Bachelor of Laws degree program which was later incorporated into the University of Phnom Penh as the Faculty of Law and Economics in 1957. RULE now offer their Bachelor of Laws in the English language, enabling them to participate on the global stage in events such as the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition.

PACE activities

Law

A student supported the moot team at CSHL with their memo preparation to represent Cambodia in the 2018 Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Geneva. The team received Third Best Memo among forty teams qualifying to plead in Geneva.

A student supported the development of a Human Rights Law Teaching Handbook based on the summaries of the judgments of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). The work contributed to the legacy of the ECCC by providing law students, academics and practitioners with an overview of the decisions of the ECCC, thereby enabling them to better transfer the lessons from these decisions to issues in criminal procedure, to the domestic system.

A student wrote and edited three modules for the teaching handbook designed to teach Human Rights Law in Cambodian universities.

Student experiences

Anmol Singh

Macquarie Student Anmol Singh posing for a picture with CSHL members

Q: What do you study and where did you go on your PACE International activity?

A: I study a combined degree of Bachelor of Applied Finance with Laws. I was placed with the Centre for the Study of Humanitarian Law which is a part of the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE), located in Cambodia.

Q: What was your role or project at your host organisation?

A: I was a research assistant, tasked with writing modules for a Human Rights Law Teaching Handbook.

Q: What attracted you to the PACE International program?

A: I was attracted to the PACE International program as it offered international work experience and the opportunity to expand my understanding of other cultures.

Q: What advice would you give a student who is thinking of applying for a PACE International activity?

A: It is most certainly an extremely valuable experience and I would highly encourage fellow students to apply. It is an experience that will not only boost career opportunities but one that will facilitate positive character development.

Q: What was the best part of your PACE International experience?

A: The highlight of my experience was the opportunity to meet and work with new people. The warmth I received from my fellow colleagues at the organisation made me feel at home in a completely foreign environment and is something I will always cherish.