Tokyo Office Opens Doors to Humanitarian Efforts and Legal Reform in Cambodia

Veteran Paul Hastings attorneys in Tokyo have been quietly supporting legal reform and humanitarian efforts in Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh, hoping to bring not only a measure of legal stability, but also compassion and justice, to the people of this war-ravaged country.

Legal Reform
Since the remaining members of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in 1999, Setsuko Ueno, as one of the representatives of the Japan Federation of the Bar Association (JFBA), has worked with the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) in an effort to improve and reform Cambodia’s existing legal system. The BAKC, hoping to learn from its East Asian neighbor, has requested aid and guidance from the Japan Ministry of Justice and the JFBA.

Setsuko, together with the JFBA, has been assisting the BAKC in several areas of reform, including the set up of a BAKC lawyers’ training center and a local legal clinic, in developing a continuing legal education program and in addressing gender equality laws. Setsuko is a member of the steering committee of the entire project and a vice-chair of the Gender Project. She is also an active member of the CLE Project, and has delivered numerous lectures and seminars in the past four years. She travels to Cambodia at least twice a year in her function as a vice-chair and has been willing to sacrifice valuable vacation and
personal time in her desire to assist the BAKC.

Humanitarian Efforts
However, as much as legal reform in Cambodia is necessary, also necessary are humanitarian efforts led by organizations such as Sok Sabay and the Cambodia Children’s Fund, groups that focus on protecting and sheltering the children of Cambodia. Sok Sabay, which means “happiness” in the Khmer language, provides refuge for children who are victims of abuse, child prostitution and violence.

Sok Sabay was established by Marie Cammal, a nurse from France, who was recognized by Time Europe Magazine, as a “Hero of 2004.” Ms. Cammal now has 40 children in her care for whom she provides housing, education and nurturing, along with medical and psychological care.

Ms. Cammal and Sok Sabay were introduced to Paul Hastings by Raj Pande, who with his family has supported and assisted Sok Sabay for many years. Raj also established the Cambodia Children’s Fund, a New York charitable organization that sponsors and facilitates sponsorship of Sok Sabay, as well as other humanitarian groups in Cambodia. Recently, the Tokyo office was honored to have Ms. Cammal give a presentation on her organization in which she described the plight that children, especially young girls, face on the streets of Phnom Penh. Sok Sabay, she said, was established not only to rescue these girls from danger, but also to raise and prepare them for life as adults. At Sok Sabay, children who have known nothing but violence and abuse are given a chance to find friendship and warmth, and eventually to discover happiness and love.

However, Ms. Cammal knows that one day these children will grow up and will have to reintegrate into society, and to that end, hopes to establish a vocational skills center where graduates of Sok Sabay can focus on establishing successful, independent futures for themselves. Paul Hastings is fully supportive of her plans and our attorneys have come forward to offer not only sponsorship, but also, in the case of attorneys such as Joseph Opich and Raj, valuable legal support and advice. Through the continued support of the Paul Hastings attorneys, Ms. Cammal and Sok Sabay will continue to provide the children of Cambodia hope and a renewed life.