Guidance

Information pack for British Nationals detained or imprisoned in Cambodia

Updated 2 September 2021

Chapter 1: Key points

Overview

If you are a British national and are arrested or detained in another country, consular staff will do what they can to help you, but they cannot interfere with the local justice system, get you out of jail, or pay for services such as a lawyer. Information about who we can help, including the circumstances in which we can assist dual nationals, is available at: Support for British nationals abroad: a guide.

This detention information pack is designed to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Cambodia and who can help.

We welcome feedback to help us improve the information we can provide to others.

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

• the authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British Consulate (and must do so if you want them to)

• even if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself, and should do so, particularly if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance

• friends or family can also contact the local British Consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 1500

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British consulate even if you don’t want anyone to know that you have been arrested. This is because there may be an agreement in place with the British Government which requires a mandatory notification to be made.

Who we are

Consular staff work in the FCDO in London and in British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates overseas. The British Embassy in Cambodia is located at:

British Embassy Phnom Penh
27-29 Street 75
Sangkat Srah Chak
Khan Daun Penh
Phnom Penh 12201
Cambodia
Tel: +855 (0)61 3000 11 / (0)61 3000 12
You can also contact us by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling the FCDO on +44 (0)20 7008 1500

What we can do

The FCDO can offer you impartial and non-judgemental help. Once notified of your arrest or detention, consular staff will aim to contact you as soon as possible so that we can assess how we can help you. We then aim to provide assistance according to your individual circumstances and local conditions: our priority is to provide assistance to those British nationals overseas that need our help the most.

In Cambodia, notification by the authorities to the Consulate varies and can take place within several days or even weeks.

Once we are notified, we aim to contact you as soon as possible.

We can also:

• provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers and interpreters; [See also section ‘what kind of legal assistance is available?’]

• provide general information about the country, detention conditions, and the local legal system

• provide general information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, and welfare services

• keep in regular contact with you, either by visiting or by telephone. The frequency of contact will depend on local conditions and your personal circumstances

• tell the police or prison doctor, with your permission, about any medical or dental problems, including medication

• put you, or your family, in touch with a prisoners’ welfare charity called Prisoners Abroad

• in some circumstances we may be able to help take up complaints with the police or prison authorities about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination, if you are not treated in line with internationally recognised standards

• help to transfer money to you from your friends or family. In places where phone or postal services aren’t available, we can also pass on messages and deliver letters to the prison, but generally we cannot arrange for delivery directly to you

What we can’t do

• get you out of prison or detention
• help you get special treatment
• offer legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime
• pay for any costs as a result of being arrested
• forward you packages sent by friends or family
• prevent authorities from deporting you after release

First steps

Can you / will you tell my family?

If you want us to, we can tell your family or friends that you have been detained and can provide them with information about how to contact you in prison or detention. With your consent, we can also keep them updated on your well-being.

If you are not sure about informing your family, we can help you consider the impact that not doing so might have. For example, it may cause them distress if they do not know where you are, or cannot contact you. It can also be a disadvantage to you if you need someone to send you money or act on your behalf while you are detained.

Will the UK Police be informed?

If you are accused of certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drug trafficking, we are obliged to share information about your arrest with UK police. It is therefore possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer. There may be other circumstances in which information about you may need to be shared by ourselves or authorities in Cambodia.

Do I need a lawyer? / How can I find a lawyer?

Although we cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings, or investigate a crime, we can offer basic information about the local legal system, including whether a legal aid scheme is available. We can give you a list of local interpreters and a list of local English-speaking lawyers is added to this pack. [See also page 23 – what kind of legal assistance is available?] You will want to consider the benefits of local legal representation and to discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. In no circumstances can we pay your legal or interpretation costs.

Can you get me out?

We cannot get you out of prison or detention, nor can we get special treatment for you because you are British. However, if you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards we will consider whether to approach the local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for fair trials or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.

Who else can help me?

We can put you, or your family, in touch with Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity that supports British citizens detained overseas and their families: www.prisonersabroad.org.uk.

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Cambodia

Visits: friends and family

Can my family and friends visit me? How can I arrange a visit?

If a family member or friend wishes to visit you, consular officers will contact the prison to arrange clearance for them. Please note some prison authorities may refuse visits by non-consular staff. We require four weeks’ notice should you wish to arrange a visit. Your family members and friends will be required to supply copies of their passports to both consular staff and prison officials and personal details such as their address.

What can visitors expect?

Visit durations can vary from prison to prison but the general rule is that visits take place between 08:00am-10:00am and 2:00pm-4:00pm Monday to Friday Cambodian standard time. Normally visits involve talking through a partition or grill. Contact visits may be allowed in special circumstances. A contact visit means you can sit either side of a table, however, prison guards will remain present. Visitors will be required to leave their mobile phone with security. Visitors should arrive as close to the start time as possible, as it can take a long time to be processed, reducing the time allowed for the visit.

Prior to any visit, consular officers will give family and friends as much information as they can, but please bear in mind that all prisons vary and visiting regulations are subject to change by the authorities at any time. Therefore, it is essential that you check visiting regulations with the prison or a consular officer prior to arranging any visit.

What can visitors bring?

If your family or friends want to give a particular item to you, they can bring it to the prison and ask the officer on duty if you are allowed to receive it. The rules for receiving items vary from prison to prison and from day-to-day so consular officers cannot give any advice on whether a particular item will be permitted. Items with blades, sharp edges, needles etc. will never be permitted. It is not possible to find out in advance if a particular item is allowed as the duty guard will have the final say.

Visits: consular staff

Consular staff will visit every three months and keep in touch with you in between visits by telephone, when necessary. In exceptional circumstances, we may consider visiting outside of this timeframe if we are concerned about your health or welfare, including following reports of mistreatment. If you need to speak to us, you should approach a prison officer, who can make arrangements to call us. We have a dedicated prisoner number that can be reached on 092 666 749, Monday-Thursday 08:15 to 12:00 & 13:00 to 16:45 and Friday 08:15 to 13:15 Cambodian standard time.

Emergency trips outside of prison

It is not possible to make a trip outside of prison if an urgent situation arises (e.g. funerals or critical illness of a prisoner’s next-of-kin)

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arrival at the police station and basic rights

If you are arrested by the police, you can be held for a maximum of 48 hours for questioning. This can be extended by another 24 hours for investigative purposes. The extension should be recorded in writing with a reasonable explanation submitted to the prosecutor.

You should be informed why you have been arrested but the language barrier can make this difficult. While the police officer should arrange for an interpreter, in reality this is unlikely to be provided and you may have to arrange and pay for your own translator/interpreter if you need one. A list of translators and interpreters can be found here (copies are included with this pack).

Below we have outlined what should happen to you when arrested, however you should be aware that procedures and processes (and adherence to those processes by the authorities) in Cambodia fall far short of international standards and what you would expect in the UK. If you feel that any of your rights detailed here are being impinged you should speak to your lawyer. (If you cannot afford legal representation, a lawyer should be provided free of charge. However, these lawyers usually have a large caseload and it is unlikely they will see or speak to you prior to your court appearance. They may not speak English.)

The record of your police custody should contain the following information ^{[footnote 1]}

*the name and rank of the judicial police officer who ordered the detention * the identification of the detained person * the reason(s) for the detention * the starting date and time of the detention * the notification of the rights to a legal representative * the name of the interpreter, if any

The detained person should be informed of the right to ^{[footnote 1]}

• know the reason for the detention
• have a legal representative
• have an interpreter in a language he or she can understand
• understand information in the police record before signing it
• have confidential communication with any person or a private visit from others including relatives, consular officials or a lawyer chosen by the detainee, for 30 minutes unless that visitor is involved in the case
• a medical examination if the detainee is not well, with the medical assessment recorded properly and in detail
• be detained separately from convicted prisoners upon arrest
• be presumed innocent until proven guilty
• inform his or her embassy, consulate or legal representation if the detainee is a foreign national

If detainee does not speak or understand Khmer (the national language of Cambodia)^{[footnote 1]}

• the detainee should be informed of his or her right to an interpreter and translation of documents into his or her language
• the judicial police officer should provide an interpreter in the detainee’s language so they can fully understand the charges and the reasons for his or her detention. However, please note that while the police officer should arrange for an interpreter, in reality this is unlikely to be provided and you may have to arrange and pay for your own translator/interpreter if you need one. A list of translators and interpreters can be found here(copies are included with this pack). Furthermore, the standard and quality of any state-provided interpretation or translation will likely be very poor

A detainee can complain about police treatment to the Prison Chief, Director General of Prisons, Royal Prosecutor, and General Prosecutor through a prison officer, visitors, a lawyer and through consular officers.

• any complaint should be handled and responded to within a reasonable time
• no detainee should be punished or otherwise prejudiced for having made a complaint or a request

You should also raise the matter with your lawyer if these rights are not complied with.

The judicial police officer must make sure that the detainee fully understands the police record in his or her own language before asking the detainee to sign or finger-print it, by allowing the detainee to read it or by reading it out loud to the detainee if he or she is illiterate. While the police officer should arrange for an interpreter, in reality this is unlikely to be provided and you may have to arrange and pay for your own translator/interpreter if you need one.

See:

• list of English speaking lawyers
• list of translators and interpreters (copies are included with this pack)

You will be given basic meals and water while you are detained at the police station but you may not have a bed to sleep on, if you are detained overnight. You can ask to see a doctor but this may be at your own expense. If you need medical treatment or have a medical condition, please make consular staff aware so they can ensure this information is passed to the police officers.

It is unlikely you will be permitted to use the telephone. Once the Embassy is notified of your detention, we will call you and can pass on messages to friends/family.

If you are sent to court, your belongings will be forwarded to the court from the police station. The British Embassy cannot store personal belongings on your behalf. The only property we can keep for you is your passport, however this is usually retained by the court until you are released, as evidence of the alleged crime and in order to prevent you from leaving the country.

You can be held without charge, in prison, for a maximum of 18 months while the police conduct their investigation.

Appearance at court ^{[footnote 2]}

If you cannot afford legal representation, a court-appointed lawyer will be provided free of charge. These lawyers usually have a large caseload and it is unlikely they will see or speak to you prior to your appearance in court. They may not speak English. You should be appointed an interpreter throughout the court proceedings but as mentioned above the quality of the interpreter may be poor.

• the duration for pre-trial detention must not exceed six months for a felony offence. However, the investigating judge can decide to extend the pre-trial detention twice, thereby extending it up to 18 months in total
• for a misdemeanour offence, the pre-trial detention cannot be longer than four months with only one extension of no longer than two months
• the investigating judge must provide reasons to the accused person for deciding on pre-trial detention and extending it
• the investigating judge can order the release of an accused person on bail at any time. A prosecutor and an accused person can submit the request for a release on bail to the investigating judge at any time

During the first court appearance, the court must inform the accused person that he or she is entitled to a period of time for preparing the defence.

• if the accused person requests a delay or if the court finds that the case is not ready for adjudicating, it shall adjourn the hearing to another date
• the court may render a detention warrant stating the reasons for pre-trial detention
• a judgement on merits shall be announced not later than two weeks

More information about the Cambodian judicial system can be found in Chapter 3.

Initial arrival at the prison

You will be placed directly into your cell on arrival. You are likely to be searched. Some possessions are allowed in the prison but what is permitted is dependent on the officer on duty. You will not be permitted a telephone call on arrival and you are unlikely to be seen by the prison doctor unless you request this. You will be provided with prison attire, which is blue with white stripes for sentenced detainees and dark orange for pre-trial detention detainees. This will be a short-sleeved top and trousers. However, due to a lack of uniform supply or adequate sizing (especially for foreign nationals), detainees may not be required to wear prison attire.

You will not ordinarily arrive at prison with personal belongings as these will have been taken from you at the police station and transferred to the court from there. Belongings are normally stored at the court’s warehouse and upon release you will need to submit a formal request, in writing, to have your belongings returned to you. However, in practice, it is highly unlikely that you will receive back any of your personal items that were confiscated from you. It is not unusual for valuable items to be replaced with fakes or for items to go missing entirely. The Embassy cannot help you to retrieve items that are lost.

No medication is allowed to be kept by detainees (although this rule is implemented inconsistently across different prisons). Officially, medication must be kept by the medic in charge at the prison who will distribute the required amount as needed.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Prison facilities do not compare with those in the United Kingdom. Former prisoners say that nothing is guaranteed and therefore the advice of more experienced prisoners, plus your own common sense, will help you enormously.

Overcrowding is a serious problem in Cambodian prisons along with poor nutrition and sanitation and inadequate facilities. Diseases such as scabies are rife.

Many of the prisons lack plumbing, electricity and ventilation. Prison officers rely on expensive and unreliable generators that result in frequent power-cuts and shortages.

Accommodation

Prison facilities do not compare with those in the UK. All prisoners are held together, irrespective of whether they are convicted or on remand. Overcrowding in Cambodian prisons is a serious issue and you cannot expect to be incarcerated in a single cell.

You will sleep on a concrete floor, side-by-side with other prisoners. It may be possible to purchase a sleeping mat but other bedding, such as a mattress or pillow is not generally allowed – although this varies between prisons. Consular staff can supply a blanket if you need one.

There is electricity in the cells although only at certain times of the day and supply is subject to frequent interruptions.

Communal washing facilities are separate from the cells.

Food and diet

The food ration for all prisoners is very limited and comprises local dishes twice per day. Special diets cannot be accommodated but you can supplement your diet by buying food from the prison shop. Due to the limited diet, prisoners in Cambodia qualify for vitamin supplements from Prisoners Abroad (see page 29). Drinking water is available but must be paid for.

Hygiene

There is no running water in most prisons. Water for bathing and drinking should be provided by the prison; however, the amount supplied can be limited and the quality will vary. If you need additional supplies or better quality you can buy it in the prison. You can therefore shower as often as you can afford to. Bathing facilities are communal and very basic and unhygienic. Basic toiletries may be provided on arrival but additional supplies can be purchased from the prison shop.

Work and Study

Cambodian prisons do not have an official system for detainees to work or study.

Contact and languages

Few Cambodian prison guards speak English, so it is a good idea to learn some Khmer (Cambodia’s national language). Knowing the local language will help you understand what is going on, communicate your needs and ease the boredom of prison life.

If you have funds to pay for learning material, consular staff will try to provide them if the prison allows us to deliver them. There is also the possibility of funding for education courses through Prisoners Abroad. If you are interested, you should write to them for further information. Cambodian prisons do not provide language classes. There is no internet access in the prison.

You may be placed in a cell with other foreign prisoners, although not necessarily those that speak English.

Most prisons do not have a library. Consular staff can bring in books (some subject matter may be refused) but they can be no more than a couple of centimetres thick (in some prisons). Owning any electronic device is not permitted.

Leisure and entertainment activities are extremely limited in Cambodian prisons. There are no cultural or social activities on offer. There is usually a television in the kitchen or rest areas, however, English language programming is unlikely.

Exercise

Prisoners are permitted at least one hour outside of their cell per day, unless the prison authority determines otherwise for security reasons.

The prison must provide a facility for physical exercise but this will usually be just an outdoor space; there will not be a gym or more formal exercise facilities. Regular exercise will not be organised by the prison authorities.

Climate

Cambodia’s climate is tropical and hot all year round, with a rainy season from May to mid-November and a dry season from mid-November to April. Since the country is relatively small, the climate is fairly uniform. Clothing provided to prisoners is lightweight.

Religion

Prisons must have a place for religious practice, however there are unlikely to be facilities for any religion other than Buddhism.

Detainees have the right to practice their own religion and no one is forced to practice any religion against their belief.

Prisons are not staffed by religious ministers. In Buddhism a monk cannot be employed. However, if needed, the prison authority can invite monks into the prison to give a blessing/religious ceremony. There is no law preventing visits from a priest, rabbi or other minister of your faith but they will be treated like other visitors and subject to the same regulations.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

After admission of a detainee, prison officials should explain the law, internal regulations, the right to pursue legal representatives, the right to convey information to relatives or to relevant institutions about the arrest and the prison location, and any other rights and obligations. If the detainee is a foreign national, the prison director must allow a prisoner to inform their embassy/consulate or his/her representatives. If a prisoner is unable to inform the embassy/consulate then the prison director should do this on his/her behalf if requested to do so.

After receiving this information a prisoner must provide a thumbprint and photograph to be scanned and filed in a computer system.

All forms of torture, inhumane acts, or the use of various tools to punish prisoners is strictly prohibited, except the use of handcuffs. However, we are aware that prisoners who have had violent outbursts have been restrained through the use of chains.

A detainee, who abuses/breaches the prison’s internal regulation, which results in serious impact on the prison’s safety and security, will not be included in an amnesty list for a period of one year. For repeat offenders, solitary confinement may be applied. In this instance, the prison director must immediately report the confinement to the General Department of Prisons, explaining the reason(s). Solitary confinement can last between 14 - 20 days. Solitary confinement can be renewed if the behaviour during solitary confinement (or after release from solitary confinement) does not improve.

During the solitary confinement period, a detainee is not allowed:

• to see visitors
• to take part in prison activities

We have received occasional reports of attacks by other inmates and/or assaults by prison guards, including prisoners being restrained through the use of chains, which can constitute mistreatment and is not in line with internationally accepted standards. If you are subjected to torture or mistreatment, you should ask to place a call to the embassy as soon as possible. If this is not arranged, you should make a note of the time, date and officer concerned and advise consular staff as soon as you are able, at the next scheduled visit or phone call. With your consent, we can raise both the mistreatment allegations and the failure to facilitate a phone call to the embassy.

British nationals in Cambodia should be aware that there are limits to the assistance the British Embassy can offer to those with concerns about the fairness of their trial, or their treatment in prison, as we are unable to interfere in the processes of a host country.

Cambodia is a unique country with its own cultural traditions and behaviours. You should exercise common sense in your own behaviour and observe other prisoners if you are unsure.

There is no reward system or any means of earning privileges through good behaviour.

As in most countries, there are reports of some drug abuse in the prisons. If you are caught holding or taking drugs, punishment can be severe, including solitary confinement. If you inject drugs, you run the risk of contracting serious blood-borne infections, such as AIDS and hepatitis. There is no treatment available for these infections in prison. If you need medication to manage these conditions you will be expected to pay for them yourself.

Prison: access to help and services

How can I receive money?

Access to money is useful and will make things easier for you. For example, you may need to pay for additional food, toiletries, medical and dental treatment.

There are two ways in which you may be able to receive financial assistance while in prison:

1. Private funds: while the FCDO does not provide financial assistance to prisoners, we may be able, within certain limits, to pass you money from your family. The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) operates a “Prisoner Comfort” system for money transfers to prisoners. Please ask your family to get in touch with the FCDO in order to arrange this – or see Annex A. We are unable to receive payment by credit/debit card or cash.

2. Prisoners Abroad: in addition, Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity, may be able to assist you with funding for prison essentials and some medical care if you are not in receipt of any regular donations from other sources. Prisoners detained in Cambodia are eligible for all three of PA’s funds - the Craig Feehan Fund, the Vitamin Fund and the Medical Fund. See Chapter 4 for more details.

The British Government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Can I receive medical and dental treatment?

While you are in detention, the Cambodian Government is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. Standards of healthcare in Cambodian prisons are poor in comparison to the United Kingdom. Poor sanitation, inadequate ventilation, extremes of temperature, lower grade food and people sleeping in close proximity to each other – often shoulder to shoulder – can cause the spread of infections. Colds and stomach bugs are common.

Dental problems are also common and treatment can be difficult to access. The standard of treatment varies considerably. Please speak to your consular officer if you have any difficulty accessing healthcare.

Prisons in Cambodia usually have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health to provide free medical and dental treatment for detainees. They will have an assigned government hospital where detainees can be treated for serious health issues. In Phnom Penh this is usually the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital. For less serious cases, detainees receive treatment at the prison.

If you wish to seek private medical care, the British Embassy can try to help you arrange to see a private doctor but permission to do so is at the discretion of the prison governor. The cost for private medical treatment will be your responsibility.

Prescription drugs should be supplied by the Ministry of Health through the nearest health centre of the referral hospital. However, in reality this service is inadequate, with prisoners generally expected to pay for their own medication.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office liaises with Prisoners Abroad to help prisoners who do not have funds to pay for medical consultation/treatment. The prison doctor can prescribe medicines, although you may need funds to cover the cost. Therefore, it makes sense to keep some money in prison. Prisoners Abroad also run a vitamin programme, which enables the Embassy to bulk buy multivitamins to supply to British nationals. These will be passed to you at consular visits. (Please refer to page 29)

A local NGO, Licadho, send doctors into the prisons to provide medical care to prisoners. The frequency of their visits varies and they do not visit all prisons. If you need medical care, that is non-urgent, you should ask either the prison guards to see them at your next visit, or ask consular staff to call them on your behalf. You can also tell consular staff you would like to meet with Licadho and we can call them and ask them to see you.

There is no psychiatrist / psychologist available to prisoners. Attitudes to mental health conditions vary but such issues are not widely understood and do not garner much sympathy. If you have mental health issues, you are unlikely to receive any treatment in prison, although it may be possible to obtain medication to help manage your condition.

If you need glasses and know your ‘strength’, consular staff can purchase over-the-counter glasses for you (at your expense) and bring them to you at the next visit. If you need prescription glasses, we can also try to assist with obtaining these but will require a copy of your prescription. The cost for prescription glasses will be higher and will also be at your own expense.

If you have a medical emergency while in prison you should alert the prison officers immediately.

With your permission, we can make sure that any medical or dental problems you might have are brought to the attention of the police or prison doctor. With your consent, we can also liaise with your GP in the UK if the police or prison doctor requests medical records and this is in your vital interests.

Mail/Parcels

We are able to pass on messages from you to friends and family. They can also send mail to the Embassy and consular officers will deliver it during routine visits.

You may write mail in English and letters are not generally subject to censorship, although it is possible officers will read it before it is released. Prisoners Abroad can provide pre-paid, airmail envelopes upon request, however, usually a prisoner will be expected to purchase stamps from their own funds.

Please note – the embassy does not accept parcels on behalf of prisoners.

Can I make telephone calls?

It is possible to make telephone calls to the embassy but prisoners are not permitted to call other contacts either in-country or overseas. The rules are subject to change without notice. We have a dedicated prisoner number 092 666 749.

Phones operate using phone cards, which can be purchased in the prison.

Mobile phones are not permitted inside the prison.

How can I make a complaint about mistreatment?

If you have been tortured or mistreated, please inform consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you, to check on your welfare, discuss the allegations, and inform you of any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider contacting. With your permission, and where appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you have not been treated in line with internationally-accepted standards. If you have been mistreated, please try to see a doctor, obtain a medical report and if possible photos of the injuries you received.

COVID-19

If you contract COVID-19 in prison and your symptoms are mild you will be treated at the prison’s medical facility. More serious cases will be taken to hospital when transport and bed availability allows. The prison should supply all detainees with face masks and hand sanitiser, however if you need more consular staff may be able to supply these with funding from Prisoners Abroad. It is not possible to practice social distancing in Cambodia’s overcrowded prisons.

Due to the community spread of COVID-19, prison visits have been suspended throughout Cambodia since March 2021. This includes consular staff and lawyers. Consular staff are able to contact you via telephone and have put in place contingency plans for delivering funds, vitamins and messages. When visitors are permitted again consular staff will resume visits in line with our visiting schedule.

There is a possibility the coronavirus may also impact any court hearing you have by delaying it or preventing you from attending. If you are not permitted to attend a hearing, you should discuss this with your lawyer. If your lawyer is not able to contact you by telephone, consular staff may be able to facilitate this.

If you are to be removed from Cambodia on completion of your sentence, COVID-19 is unlikely to affect this, although you may be required to take (and pay for) a PCR test before being admitted to the Immigration Removal Centre. Prison/immigration officials will arrange this.

Chapter 3: the Cambodian judicial system

Overview and first steps

Is the system the same as the UK?

The legal process in Cambodia is unpredictable, lacks transparency and is open to interference from powerful political and business interests. The investigation and trial process falls far below the standard expected in the UK. Below we have detailed some of your rights as a detainee. However, you should be aware that even though Cambodian law may provide for certain rights, that does not mean those rights will be respected. You should be aware that there are limits to the assistance the British Embassy can offer to those with concerns about the fairness of their trial, as we are unable to interfere in the legal processes of a host country.

There is no trial by jury. Trials are judged by a panel of (usually) three judges.

• the FCDO cannot interfere with the judicial system. We cannot ask for your case to be judged more quickly just because you are British, or ask the authorities to waive any penalties

What should happen when I am arrested?

An individual can be arrested without a warrant by judicial police officers or anyone if the individual is suspected of committing flagrant offences.

A flagrant offence, subject to an arrest without a warrant, is defined as follows:

• an offence that is being committed
• an offence that has just been committed
• a suspect is being chased by the public
• there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person with suspect behaviour or is in possession of objects that were involved in a crime

The occupant of a place where an offence is committed can request police officers to arrest a suspect onsite. Such an offence is regarded as a flagrant offence subject to an arrest without a warrant.

• should you have any questions concerning the legal aspects of your arrest, contact your lawyer. A list of local English-speaking lawyers is provided with this pack

For how long can I be remanded in custody?

If you are placed on remand you will be held in prison. Pre-trial detention can be up to six months, with two further periods of extension of six months each. However, in reality, you could be on remand for much longer.

Sentenced prisoners and those on remand are detained together. There is little to no difference between them in their treatment or rights.

What happens when I am charged?

The arresting officer must:

• report immediately to the prosecutor
• examine the crime site and protect all leads or evidence
• make a record of their investigation and inquiry

Important note

Police use of force: there are no comprehensive standards or regulations to govern police use of force in Cambodia.

Rights of the arrested person: Under Cambodia law, a judicial police officer cannot arrest a person without a warrant unless it is a flagrant offence. For arrests without a warrant, there is no explicit requirement that the arresting officer should inform the arrested person of their rights at the time of the arrest. For arrests with a warrant, the arresting police officer is required to inform the arrested person of the crime they are charged with and the reasons for the arrest. UNOHCHR-Cambodia released an arrest rights card called “the yellow card” ^{[footnote 3]}both in English and in Khmer, which provides a list of the basic rights of the arrested person. Without express provisions in the Cambodian Penal Code (CPC), however, it is unlikely Cambodian police officers will comply with the yellow card.

Yellow Card ^{[footnote 3]}

Your rights if the police detain you

Under Cambodian law, anyone who is held in police custody has some basic rights to protect them from ill‐treatment. These rights belong to everyone who has been detained—they should not be taken away from you. If you have just been detained, these are some of your rights:

If you are under 14 years old, you cannot be arrested or held.

Right to know why you have been detained: The police must tell you immediately why you have been detained. You can only be arrested if a judge has issued an arrest warrant or you were caught in the act of breaking the law. The police can also hold you temporarily if they think you have broken the law or if you fail to cooperate with a police investigation.

The police should not hold you for more than 48 hours (two days). After this time, you must either be charged or released.

Right to a lawyer: you can ask for a lawyer. After 24 hours in custody, you must be able to see a lawyer or another person of your choice. If you cannot afford a lawyer, there is at least one legal aid organisation who may be able to help – their funding is very limited and cases are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Ask the police to contact Legal Aid Cambodia (lac.org.kh) on 088 7777 093 or 012 385 155 or at [email protected]

Right to remain silent: you can remain silent until your lawyer arrives. No one can force you to speak unless you want to.

Right not to confess: you should not confess to something you did not do. You can confess to something you did if you want to or you can wait for your lawyer to advise you on what to say. No one should force you to admit to doing anything, either by beating you or by threatening you or your family. If someone tortures you and forces you to confess, the confession is not valid and should not be used against you in court.

You should check the written record of anything you do or say before you sign or thumbprint it. If it is not correct, you must insist that it is changed before you sign or thumbprint it.

Right to be brought before a judge: As soon as possible after arrest, you should be taken to see a judge. The judge will investigate your case and must make sure you are well treated. If you were arrested because you have already been tried and convicted in your absence, you have the right to a new trial. Ask your lawyer or the judge how to request this.

Right to inform your family of your arrest: You should be able to let your family know that you have been arrested. If you are under 18 years old, the police must inform your parents or guardian that you have been arrested.

Right to complain if your rights have been denied: All police and officials with powers to arrest have been trained and know they should respect the rights set out in this card. If you think your rights have been denied, you should complain to your lawyer or to the prosecutor or judge dealing with your case.

Torture is a crime in Cambodia. Anyone who hurts you, or threatens to hurt you, can be prosecuted by the law. You should report to your lawyer, the prosecutor or the judge, any torture, ill‐treatment or threats made by the arresting officer. The prosecutor should make sure your complaint is investigated and prosecute anyone suspected of torture. It is also a crime for anyone to ask you or your family to pay for your release. You should not give money to the police.

Even if you are guilty of a crime, you are entitled to your basic human rights under Cambodian law.

Bail ^{[footnote 4]}

A detainee has the right to be released on bail.

• an investigating judge can issue an order to release the detainee on bail at any time
• a prosecutor and an accused can request an investigating judge to release on bail. If refused, the investigating judge must state the reasons, and the accused can appeal the decision to the Investigation Chamber

Exceptions to the right to bail are based on the following reasons:

• to stop the offence or prevent the offence from happening again
• to prevent any interferences between witnesses or victims and an accused person
• to protect the security of the accused; and
• to maintain relevant procedural purposes

Judicial control on bail is determined by the investigating judge and may include the following:

• cannot leave the territorial boundaries
• cannot change residence without permission or go to certain (specified) places
• must show up on fixed dates and times at the police station
• must respond to a summons
• must not drive a motor vehicle
• must not meet certain (specified) people
• must deposit bail in an amount and for a duration based on the wealth of the accused person
• must not hold or possess any weapon
• must turn up for medical examination; and
• must not carry out certain professional activities

An accused person can request to review the above bail conditions set by the investigating judge at any time.

An investigating judge can terminate or modify judicial control on bail by deleting or adding new conditions at any time. A prosecutor and an accused person can submit a request to an investigating judge to drop or modify bail obligations at any time. The investigating judge should make a decision on such requests within five days. If the investigating judge fails to issue a decision within five days, the accused can file a petition to the investigating chamber.

The investigating judge can issue an order to detain an accused person temporarily if he or she breaches bail conditions. The reasons for such detention must be provided in the order.

Bail must be paid at the court by the detainee or his/her representative.

If you wish, consular officers can assist you to contact friends or family who may be willing to pay your bail. However, the FCDO is not able to facilitate the transfer of bail funds or make payments to the court on behalf of British nationals.

There is no indication whether foreigners are more or less likely to be granted bail.

The court will keep your passport until the trial is over and you are found not guilty or until the completion of your prison sentence.

Trial and legal assistance

What kind of legal assistance is available?

If you wish to hire a private lawyer, a list of English-speaking lawyers is provided at the end of this pack. Prisoners Abroad can also supply information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

Almost all private lawyers will ask for payment upfront. The Embassy has received a number of complaints from British nationals who have appointed private lawyers and paid their fees and subsequently found the lawyer to be ineffectual. We recommend you establish in advance exactly what the lawyer will be able to do for you and to choose your representation carefully.

The cost of the trial itself is borne by the State.

There is very limited legal aid available in Cambodia for foreigners and there are no charities or organisations in Cambodia that will assist foreign nationals with legal costs. However, you may wish to approach Legal Aid Cambodia (LAC) (lac.org.kh) on 088 7777 093 or 012 385 155 or at [email protected]. Their funding is extremely limited and cases are accepted on a case-by-case basis. With your consent, consular staff can contact LAC on your behalf.

What happens at the trial?^{[footnote 5]}

Pre-trial procedure

A prosecutor can decide to apply the procedures for immediate appearance before a criminal court if:

• the offence is a flagrant felony or misdemeanour
• the offence carries a sentence of imprisonment for not less than one year and not greater than five years
• the accused is 18 or over; and
• there are ‘substantial’ facts to be tried

The purpose of this hearing is to inform the accused of the charge, relevant evidence and rights, especially the right to a lawyer. The trial should be adjourned at a new date if the accused requests for the delay or if the court finds that the case cannot be tried immediately.

Trial procedure

• the presiding judge informs the accused of the charges and relevant rights. After that, the presiding judge proceeds to question the accused to gather evidence
• the prosecutor then questions the accused, followed by lawyers and other parties. All their questions shall be asked with the authorisation of the presiding judge
• the presiding judge then hears statements from victims, witnesses, police officers, agents and experts or whoever the presiding judge calls to provide statements. The prosecutor, lawyers and all other parties may be allowed to ask questions to each party giving a statement
• at the conclusion of the hearing, the parties have the opportunity to make closing statements in the following order:

1. The civil party, civil defendant and the accused
2. The lawyer for the civil party
3. The prosecutor
4. The lawyer for the civil defendant
5. The lawyer for the accused (the accused and defence lawyer must be the last to speak)

• Judge’s deliberation
• Judgement

There are no standards and procedures to protect vulnerable victims or witnesses when giving evidence during hearing.

You should be provided with a translator although please note, the quality of translation is likely to be very poor.

Cases can take a very long time to come to trial and long delays are very common.

Sentencing

The judges presiding over the trial hearing determine the sentence in the case of a conviction. Although there seems to be no official guidelines on sentencing, Cambodia’s Criminal Code provides comprehensive details of how a sentence should be determined. The judges can use a degree of discretion to decide on the sentencing based on a suggested range and degree of felony and misdemeanour crimes, mitigating circumstances, time spent during pre-trial detention, multiple offences, past offences, etc.

Types of sentence: discharge, fine, community service, jail sentence, and suspended sentence.

Sentencing can vary. You should speak to your lawyer about what types of penalties are often handed down for the offence for which you are accused but your sentence may include a fine and/or victim compensation and usually a prison sentence.

There is no capital punishment in Cambodia.

Whether you are removed from Cambodia at the end of your sentence will vary. You may not know if you are being removed until a few days or hours before your release. You will almost certainly be removed to the country of your passport. However, if you have permanent residency in a third country and wish to return there instead, consular staff can request permission for this from the authorities. There is no guarantee this will be granted however.

There is no mechanism to contest a removal and the Embassy cannot make representations on your behalf.

How can appeals be made? ^{[footnote 6]}

The right to appeal any judicial decision is guaranteed under Cambodia’s Code of Criminal Procedure.

*a prosecutor and an accused person found guilty can file an appeal application to the office of the clerk of the court where the judgement was declared, within one month for non-default judgement and within 15 days for a default judgement

• if found guilty by the Court of First Instance, the guilty person can appeal to the Court of Appeal, and then the Supreme Court

• an accused person under detention shall remain detained and be transferred immediately to a prison or a detention center nearest to the Office of the Court of Appeal

• the defendant cannot be given a harsher sentence by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The appeal courts can only modify the sentence in the accused’s favor

A convicted person or his or her legal representative can file a motion for review to contest against the final judgment (res judicata) for the following reasons:

• if a victim of a murder conviction is alive
• if two accused persons were sentenced for the same crime, but with different sentences
• if the witness was sentenced for giving false testimony against the accused person
• if a new evidence is found to cast doubt on the guilt of the convicted person

Reaching the end of your sentence

What provision is there for early release e.g. parole?^{[footnote 7]}

• a convicted person with a custodial sentence may apply for early release with conditions, provided that he or she has shown a good attitude during imprisonment and is qualified to reintegrate into society

• conditional release may be granted to a convicted person who has served a prison sentence if they have served:

  • half of their sentence if the duration of the sentence is less than or equal to one year; or
  • two-thirds of their sentence in other cases; or
  • 20 years in the case of a life imprisonment

What provision is there for clemency or pardon? ^{[footnote 8]}

The King of Cambodia has the constitutional authority to commute a court’s sentence and grant a royal pardon. You should speak to your lawyer about submitting an application although it is possible to submit an application yourself. Your application should be sent to the Cambodian Ministry of Justice. In practice, pardons are normally issued at the request of the Cambodian Prime Minister.

Annual Royal Pardons are issued during key national festivals or days such as Khmer New Year in April, Visak Bochea Day in May, Pchum Ben in October, Independence Day in November, the Water Festival in November and Win-Win Policy Day in December.

In order to be considered for a pardon you must have served two-thirds of your sentence. A pardon may also constitute a reduction in sentence of up to six months, rather than immediate release and/or exoneration.

What about any financial penalties?

Your sentence may have included a fine. This will be payable on release from prison or additional time may be added to your sentence.

Is transfer to another prison within Cambodia possible?

Yes, it is possible to transfer to another prison within Cambodia but this is at the discretion of the Head of the General Department of Prisons (GDOP). If you would like to transfer, please notify consular staff at their next visit and they will write to the GDOP on your behalf to request the transfer. Please note, there is no guarantee that a transfer will be agreed.

Is transfer to the UK a possibility?

There is no prisoner transfer agreement between the UK and Cambodia.

What are the procedures for release and deportation?

Decisions on whether a convicted prisoner is removed from Cambodia at the end of their sentence follow no obvious pattern. You will often not be notified on whether you are to be removed until a few days or hours prior to your release. If you are not removed, you are free to remain in Cambodia but should make arrangements to get a valid visa as soon as possible to avoid incurring overstay fines.

If you are to be removed you will be taken from prison to the Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), where you may be held for a further 4-6 weeks while your removal is processed. Once notified by the authorities that you are in the IRC consular staff will contact you to discuss next steps. It is not possible to contest your removal.

Those being removed are expected to pay for their own flights and any other costs associated with departure.

Returning to the UK

Sometimes people find that they face difficulties adjusting to life in the UK once they have left prison. You may find yourself ready for life on the outside but not prepared for living in the UK. Possibly you have never lived in the UK and have no connections there, or perhaps you have lost touch with friends and family. You may simply want to talk to another person who understands what you have been through, to help you consider what to do next.

If you are registered with Prisoners Abroad you can visit their office when you first arrive back in UK for advice, to take a shower, use their temporary luggage store, make essential phone calls or use a computer. If you have no belongings Prisoners Abroad may be able to help with basic toiletries and finding suitable clothing. If you know your release date in advance it is best to write and tell your caseworker when you are likely to arrive and what help you think you might need. If you have no money and nowhere to go, Prisoners Abroad’s Aftercare Service can help with:

• advice on finding emergency accommodation in the London area
• claiming welfare benefits, including emergency benefit payments if you are destitute
• making appointments with doctors and dentists
• putting you in touch with local agencies if you are not returning to the London area

Later on you may want advice on housing, looking for work, applying for training or getting counselling. Prisoners Abroad can refer you to the right agency.

Other sources of practical help back in the UK are The Salvation Army – UK Helpline 020 7367 4888, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM (UK time), or contact your local Salvation Army branch – and The Prison Fellowship, UK Helpline 020 7799 2500, Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM (UK time).

Will I have a criminal record in the UK?

We will not normally pass on information about your case to a third party without your consent. However, if you’re arrested for certain serious offences, such as child sex abuse or drugs crimes, our staff must tell other relevant UK authorities. It is therefore possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer.

Chapter 4: Additional Information

Prisoners Abroad

Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned overseas. It is the only UK charity providing this service and it is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or awaiting charge or trial. Prisoners Abroad is concerned with your health and welfare, both during your imprisonment and also on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family during your imprisonment. In order to access any services, prisoners must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning their authorisation form.

Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer will vary from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on:

• your rights as a prisoner and issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK
• obtaining magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter
• learning the language of your country of imprisonment
• translation of documents
• grants for food if you are in a developing country and don’t have funds from other sources
• grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you don’t have funds from other sources
• preparing for release
• help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and, in a few cases, assistance with the cost of visiting

Prisoners Abroad
89 – 93 Fonthill Road
London N4 3JH
UK
Telephone: 00 44 (0)20 7561 6820 or, for your relatives in the UK, Freephone: 0808 172 0098 (Mondays and Tuesdays 9.30 am to 6pm, and Wednesdays to Fridays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, UK time)
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.prisonersabroad.org.uk

Annexes

• A: FCDO letter: Financial Assistance – how to send Money to the FCDO
• B: Glossary of legal phrases
• C: Glossary of general phrases
• D: Sources
• G: Prisoners Abroad Authorisation Form
• H: Prisoners Abroad Family Contact Form
• I: Prisoners Abroad CFF Form
• J: FCDO leaflet: Support for British Nationals Abroad

Annex A: financial assistance: how to send Money to the FCDO

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office operates a service that allows you to pay funds to us in the UK that we will pay out in local currency to the individual overseas. The various ways you can pay us are detailed below.

Under the Consular Fees Order of 2016/2017, we are obliged to charge for this service. The fee is dependent on the amount that you wish to transfer as follows:

Amount being sent	Fee
One monthly payment up to £100	Free
Each additional monthly payment or amount of £0.01 - £99.99	£10
Each additional monthly payment or amount of £100 - £499.99	£25
Each additional monthly payment or amount of £500 and above	£50

When forwarding funds, you should add the above fee to the amount that you wish to transfer. For example, if you want the recipient to receive £150, you will need to send us £175 (£150 to forward plus £25 fee). If other friends and family also plan to transfer funds in the same month, you should consider coordinating payments so you know what FCDO fees to expect. We retain the right to further deduct any local overseas charges we may incur in passing the fees to the recipient.

Should we be unable to pay the funds locally to the recipient, our policy is to refund amounts above £5 to the depositor by bank transfer. In this case, we would contact you for your bank details. Refunds may take several weeks as our internal processes can only start once all relevant costs have been cleared with local authorities.

I hope this clarifies our service for you, but should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please note that our office in Milton Keynes is only responsible for payments. All correspondence concerning the above named should continue to be addressed to the Embassy or the FCDO.

Options to transfer funds to British Nationals Overseas via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Please note that we can only advance funds to the person overseas once your payment has cleared in our account.

Electronic bank transfers

Payment by electronic/internet bank transfer can be made either using online or telephone banking, or at your local bank or building society.

For all bank transfers, you will need to include the following details:

Bank	National Westminster Bank
Account Name	FCDO Multi Vote
Sort Code	60-70-80
Account Number	10012362
Reference	CBP+ [The Detainee’s surname]
IBAN	GB56NWBK60708010012362
SWIFT/BIC	NWBKGB2L

You may also need our bank address which is:

Government Banking Cst,
Po Box 2027, Parklands,
De Havilland Way, Horwich,
Bolton, BL6, 4YU

By Post

Payments by Postal Order, Bankers Draft, Building Society Cheque or personal cheque should be crossed and made payable to “The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office”. They should be sent to:

The Cashier
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
PO Box 7654
Milton Keynes
MK11 9NQ

We recommend that you use Special Delivery.

Please ensure that you include a note briefly explaining who the money is for, why you are sending these funds and quoting the case reference number.

If you would like a receipt, please include a stamped addressed envelope.

Please note that it can take approximately 15 days for personal cheques to clear and for payment to be received. Please write the cheque guarantee number and expiry date, and the case reference number, on the back of the cheque.

We are unable to receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash.

Annex B: glossary of terms: useful legal terms

Key word / Phrase	Unofficial phonetic translation	Khmer script
I need to call a lawyer	Kh’nhom Trov-kar Teh Tov Meh-thea-vi	ខ្ញុំត្រូវការតេទៅមេធាវី
I want to call my embassy	Kh’nhom Chang Teh Tov Sa-than-tuot Ro-boss Kh’nhom	ខ្ញុំចង់តេទៅស្ថានទូតរបស់ខ្ញុំ
What am I accused of?	Tae Kh’nhom Trov Keh Chaot Pi Ah-vei?	តើខ្ញុំត្រូវគេចោទពីអ្វី?
What am I charged with?	Tae Kh’nhom Trov Keh Chaot-broah-kann Pi Ah-vei?	តើខ្ញុំត្រូវគេចោទប្រកាន់ពីអ្វី?
When is my court date?	Tae Tngai Laeng Tola-kar Kh’nhom Nov Pel Nah?	តើថ្ងៃឡើងតុលាការខ្ញុំនៅពេលណា?
Will I have to testify?	Tae Kh’nhom Neng Trov P’dal Sak-khei-kamm Teh?	តើខ្ញុំនឹងត្រូវផ្តល់សក្ខីកម្មទេ?
Can I get bail?	Tae Kh’nhom Arch Som Nov Krao Khum Bann Teh?	តើខ្ញុំអាចសុំនៅក្រៅឃុំបានទេ?
Do I have to pay a fine?	Tae Kh’nhom Trov Bang Prak Pi-nei Teh?	តើខ្ញុំត្រូវបង់ប្រាក់ពិន័យទេ?
How long is my sentence?	Tae Kar Katt-Tos Ro-boss Kh’nhom Mean Ro-yaek-pel Ponn-Nah?	តើការកាត់ទោសរបស់ខ្ញុំមានរយៈពេលប៉ុណ្ណា?
Can I ask for clemency?	Tae Kh’nhom Arch Som Kar Ott Oaun Tos Bann Teh?	តើខ្ញុំអាចសុំការអត់អោនទោសបានទេ?
How do I ask for clemency?	Tae Kh’nhom Som Kar Ott Oaun Tos Ro-beab Nah?	តើខ្ញុំសុំការអត់អោនទោសរបៀបណា?
Assault	Kar Bom-pean	ការបំពាន
Bail	Nov Kraov Khum	នៅក្រៅឃុំ
Court	Tola-kar	តុលាការ
Court hearing	Sa-va-nar-kar To-la kar	សវនាការតុលាការ
Domestic violence	Om-peu Heng-ssar Knong Kruo-ssar	អំពើហិង្សាក្នុងគ្រួសារ
Drugs	Krueng-nhien	គ្រឿងញៀន
Guilty	Mean Tos	មានទោស
Not guilty	Kmean Tos	គ្មានទោស
Judge	Chao-kram	ចៅក្រម
Jury	Kanak-vini-chhai	គណៈវិនិច្ឆ័យ
Murder	Kheat-ta-kam	ឃាតកម្ម
Sex offender	Pi-rutt-chun Ph’lov-phet	ពិរុទ្ធជនផ្លូវភេទ
Prison	Pon-tho-nea-kear / kuk	ពន្ធនាគារ / គុក
Retainer	Thali-chhnuol raek-ssa / kom-rai bomrong tuk	ថ្លៃឈ្នួលរក្សា / កម្រៃបម្រុងទុក

Annex C: key phrases: English into Cambodian

KEY WORD / PHRASE	UNOFFICIAL PHONETIC TRANSLATION	KHMER SCRIPT
Court	Tu La Ka	តុលាការ
Exercise	Hat pran	ហាត់ប្រាណ
I’m sick	Kh’nhom Chheu	ខ្ញុំឈឺ
I want to see the Doctor	Kh’nhom jong tov pet	ខ្ញុំចង់ទៅពេទ្យ
Please contact my embassy	Som taik torng s’thantout	សូមទាក់ទងស្ថានទូត
Please contact my Lawyer	Som taik torng metheavi	សូមទាក់ទងមេធាវី
I need medication	Kh’nhom trov ka thnam	ខ្ញុំត្រូវការថ្នាំ
I want to contact my family	Kh’nhom jong taik torng krousa	ខ្ញុំចង់ទាក់ទងគ្រួសារ
I want to contact my friend	Kh’nhom jong taik torng mit pheak	ខ្ញុំចង់ទាក់ទងមិត្តភក្រ័
I need your help	Kh’nhom trov ka oy nak juoy	ខ្ញុំត្រូវការអោយអ្នកជួយ
I need a translator	Kh’nhom trov ka neak bok prer	ខ្ញុំត្រូវការអ្នកបកប្រែ
I don’t understand	Kh’nhom men yol	ខ្ញុំមិនយល់
I don’t want that	Kh’nhom men jong ban te	ខ្ញុំមិនចង់បានទេ
I hear what you say	Kh’nhom leur a vei del nak niyeay	ខ្ញុំលឺអ្វីដែលអ្នកនិយាយ
I understand	Kh’nhom yol heuy	ខ្ញុំយល់ហើយ
I will try my best	Kh’nhom neng P’jea yeam	ខ្ញុំនឹងព្យាយាម
It is not possible	Vea men ach tov rouch	វាមិនអាចទៅរួច
I’m sorry about that	Kh’nhom som tos	ខ្ញុំសុំទោស
I apologise	Som Tos	សុំទោស

1. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2007; The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia 1993; The Law on Prisons 2011. ↩ ↩² ↩³

2. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2007 ↩

3. https://cambodia.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/book/Arrest%20rights%20card%20in%20Eng.pdf ↩ ↩²

4. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2007 ↩

5. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2007 ↩

6. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2007 ↩

7. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2007 ↩

8. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia 1993 ↩