Amnesty International said in a new report that Cambodia's war on drugs three years ago led to human rights violations and overcrowding in prisons and detention centers.
The report, released yesterday entitled "Real Violations," has documented government campaigns to counter drugs since January 2017, as the organization says the campaigns have failed to curb drug use and related crime in the country.
"Cambodia's drug war is a complete catastrophe, it relies on systematic human rights violations, and it has created a range of opportunities for corrupt officials who have very weak salaries in the judicial system, but it has done nothing for public health and safety," said WHO regional director Nicholas Piculin. . The report added that the overcrowded prisons and compulsory "rehabilitation" centers have become overcrowded, as the authorities storm the areas where drugs are used, and arrest people, often without conviction.
Cambodian officials claim that they are treating drug users as "victims" who will have access to treatment, while strict measures are being taken against drug traffickers in the streets.
However, in every case documented by Amnesty International, all those appearing before the court were convicted and not given the opportunity to speak with a lawyer.