Human rights groups, NGOs and members of the National Assembly attended a seminar

on managing land disputes held Dec. 15/16.

Organized by the United Nations Human Rights Center field office, the meeting examined

ways of solving the complex issue of land ownership and identified areas where reforms

are needed.

Target areas included: reforming laws dealing with possession and transfer of land;

establishing an independent legal system - with land law specialists; and combating

corruption.

Most public records of land ownership have been lost or destroyed and illegal seizures

of land and forced evictions are common.

The field office has also produced a book in Khmer and English to help solve land

problems. Copies are available from the office.