Grave human rights abuses are still occurring in Cambodia amid widespread violence

and a judicial system incapable of seriously enforcing the legal code, according

to a new Amnesty International report.

The report, "Arbitrary Killings of Ethnic Vietnamese", expresses concern

that provisions for human rights protection in the new constitution will have little

effect unless the arbitrary use of police powers can be curbed and an independent

and well-trained judiciary put in place.

Amnesty notes that since 1992 almost 130 ethnic Vietnamese civilians have been killed

and at least 75 have been injured as a result of targeted, politically-motivated

attacks.

"There is a fear that renewed acts of military violence may become part of the

political maneuvering during the coming weeks and months," says the report,

adding: "The ethnic Vietnamese living in Cambodia are the most vulnerable and

frequent targets of such attacks."

It says the Vietnamese have become a tool for maintaining a state of terror and endemic

violence in many parts of the country.