The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association called “ADHOC”, is the first Cambodian human rights association was founded in December 10, 1991 by, a former political prisoners group who had been detained in the late 1980s for peacefully advocating human rights and democracy, following the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements which signed by the four Khmer factions on 23 October 1991 on “A Comprehensive Political Settlement of Cambodia Conflict” in Paris, France. Its first office was in a Buddhist temple in Phnom Penh, supported by a small group of volunteers who believed in the importance of human rights and democracy.
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association is an independent, neutral, non-profit, non-governmental organization. ADHOC was officially recognized and approved by Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk on March 10, 1992 when he was the Head of State and Chairman of the National Council of Cambodia. By Samdech Hun Sen, on March 19, 1992, when he served as Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the State of Cambodia. As well as officially recognized by the Ministry of Interior, Prakas no. 278, dated 28 March 2000.
ADHOC’s goals include assisting victims of abuses in their quest for justice, strengthening the capacity of ordinary citizens to claim their rights, and encouraging citizens to lobby and advocate for improvement and enhancement of laws, institutions and law enforcement.
ADHOC’s logo is designed with the “Brahma-vihara’s” four-faced, and three arms under the crown of four faces, in three-color, and has the following meanings:
- Fourfold Brahma – represents the Brahma-vihara, which means that the Dhamma is a dwelling place of mind, consisting of four values or ”Four Perfect Virtues” such as:
1). Metta (loving kindness)
2). Karuna (compassion)
3). Mudita (sympathetic joy or empathy)
4). And Upekkha (equanimity).
- Three arms under Brahma have three colors-white, yellow and black represent the color of humanity, non-discriminatory and non-racial in the world.
ADHOC works across Cambodia, with offices in Phnom Penh and 19 provinces.