SUMMER HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
May 25 – June 2, 2023
Trinity’s annual Summer Human Rights Program is an experiential course focused on the international law of human trafficking, as well as an introduction to the history and legal response to the Cambodian genocide.
The program begins in Siem Reap, Cambodia’s second largest city. You will also spend a full day exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. After your time in Siem Reap, you will have the option of exploring Southeast Asia on your own.
Then you will travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city. While there, you will have the unique opportunity to meet organizations and individuals actively fighting human trafficking in Southeast Asia. You will visit former brothels that were shut down and converted to a school and workplace training facility for survivors of trafficking. Likewise, many of the cafes and restaurants you will visit are run by, and provide support for, survivors of trafficking. You will also visit the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), the tribunal responsible for prosecuting members of the Khmer Rouge for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions during the Cambodian genocide. While at the ECCC, you will meet with international prosecutors and defense attorneys to discuss the cases and the work of the Tribunal. You will also visit the Tuol Sleng genocide museum and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek.
The Summer Human Rights Program provides a unique opportunity to learn about international law and the prevention of human trafficking, and about international criminal justice after genocide. You can also explore rich cultural sites, including the bustling Central Market, the stunning Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and the many wonderful local eateries.
The program begins in Siem Reap, Cambodia’s second largest city. You’ll spend a full day exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat, which is the largest religious monument in the world. The program ends in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s Capital City. Program dates to be announced. During the break between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, there is an optional tour to Brunei. However, you are welcome to explore Southeast Asia on your own during the break.
Professor Craig Hawkins
M.A., Simon Greenleaf University
M.A., Trinity Graduate School
M.A., Claremont Graduate University
B.A., University of California, Irvine
The cost of the program covers your accommodations in Cambodia (and Brunei if you choose to attend the option tour). Transportation around Cambodia is also covered by the cost of the program. You are responsible for your own airfare to/from Cambodia and to/from Brunei, if you choose to do the optional tour.
The cost for each student is $3,150 (double occupancy) or $3,450 (single occupancy) which includes three semester hours from Trinity Law School, hotel, and daily breakfast. Airfare is the responsibility of the student. Students should budget $15/day for meals.
Financial aid can be utilized for this program. For more information, please contact the Business Office at [email protected] or 714-796-7120.
Family and Guests are welcome to attend. The cost for family and guests is $1,500 per person. That includes their accommodations and transportation around Cambodia. Family and guests are also responsible for all of their own airfare.
For more information about this winter abroad program in Cambodia, please contact Assistant Professor Andrew R. DeLoach at [email protected].
Trinity JD students who are eligible for elective units and Trinity MLS students who have completed at least three units are eligible to participate in this course. Non-Trinity students who are enrolled in a Juris Doctor or Master of Legal Studies program at another school may apply to participate for transfer credit.
All interested students should contact the Office of the Registrar at [email protected] or 714-796-7140 for more information about registration.
Before requesting to attend, please confirm that your Academic Plan complies with Summer Human Rights Institute courses. JD students should contact Joy Statler, Academic Advisor, at [email protected] or 714-796-7173. MLS students should contact Margaret Fitzsimmons, TLS Advisor, at [email protected] or 714-796-7111.
To be admitted to participate, you must have a color copy/scan of your passport, a digital headshot photo, a copy/scan of your highest diploma, a short curriculum vitae (CV), Assumption of Risk, Release & Participation Agreement Form (700A), and Health Information and Release Form (700H).
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)
A special Cambodian court which receives international assistance through the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials (UNAKRT). The court is also informally known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal or the Cambodia Tribunal.
Agape International Missions
Agape International Missions works holistically to end trafficking by protecting girls, rescuing the exploited, and empowering survivors.
International Bridges to Justice
IBJ provides access to high quality free legal aid services to the poorest in 15 provinces and in the Court of Appeal. Through early access to counsel, IBJ eliminates instances of torture or other inhumane treatment.
Angkor Wat
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.
Daughters of Cambodia
Daughters of Cambodia exists to empower those trapped in the sex industry in Cambodia to walk free and start a new life, with healing, dignity, and the means to prosper.
Chab Dai
Our vision is to work together with diverse stakeholders to abolish all forms of abuse and exploitation.
EGBOK
EGBOK uses an all encompassing approach to ensure that students receive a well-rounded hospitality and life-skills education.
OHCHR
In Cambodia, the Office implements the High Commissioner’s global mandate to protect and promote human rights. It works with the government, the judicial and legislative bodies, civil society and other national and international actors, to support the consolidation of peace in Cambodia after three decades of war, violence and arbitrary use of power. It does so through the promotion of rule of law and compliance with human rights standards ratified by Cambodia.
Sleuk Rith Institute
The Sleuk Rith Institute is a bold and ambitious project to reconcile the destructive legacy of the Khmer Rouge with Cambodia’s enduring cultural heritage through a focus on the timeless values of justice, memory, and healing.
The Killing Fields
During the Khmer Rouge reign, from 1975 to 1979, an estimated 1.7 to 2.5 million Cambodians died through execution, starvation or disease. This was almost a quarter of the country’s population. Killing fields dot the country of Cambodia, with more than 20,000 mass grave sites containing more than 1.38 million bodies according to the Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam). The largest of the killing fields was Choeung Ek, which sits on the outskirts of Phnom Penh and today serves as a monument to all those who died – and survived. It also serves as an educational tool to ensure history never repeats itself.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
In 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21); it soon became the largest centre of detention and torture in the country. S-21 has been turned into the Tuol Sleng museum, which serves as a testament to the crimes of the Khmer Rouge.
U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh
Senhoa
Since 2010, Senhoa Foundation has established projects that address the prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors of human trafficking and those vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Our jewelry is individually handcrafted by vulnerable women, providing access to fair wages, health services and education. The brand’s passion is to create opportunities for survivor artisans to earn an income, share their stories and raise awareness against exploitation.
Sak Saum
Located in the Saang District of Cambodia, Sak Saum is a ministry dedicated to the prevention, rescue, restoration, transformation, and rehabilitation of vulnerable and exploited women, men and children. From the beginning, our goal has been to create a nurturing, empowering, restorative program which facilitates vocational training in sewing excellent products and community development. Sak Saum is a pioneer model of self-sustaining ministry. We believe in the powerful, life-changing outreach wth effective, excellent business.