Dear Sir,

I refer to your Gecko column of the May 6-19, 1994 publication

of the Post which reports that the Center for Human Rights was shutting down.

Your information is completely unfounded, and creates a wrong impression

on many persons and organizations in Cambodia, who are associated with the

Center.

The Center is continuing its work, with close collaboration with

local NGOs.

The Center submitted a detailed comments on the Immigration

Law, and has reviewed several other proposed laws, during the last few weeks.

The Center conducted several education classes in prisons, and has

produced a Khmer version of the reporting manual for the use of Cambodian

officers.

The Center also conducted investigations into the recent

killing on the Vietnamese and several other violations of human rights. During

April, Justice Kirby, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for

Human Rights in Cambodia, wrote to the Royal Government of Cambodia on several

occasions relating to human rights concerns.

The Center will continue

its activities, and the impression created by your news item is incorrect and

damaging to the Center.

I would be grateful if you take suitable steps to

correct this unfortunate impression created by your publication.

-

Basil Fernando, Officer-in-Charge, Cambodia Field Office, UN Center for Human

Rights