Speeches
Remarks by Ms. Ith Mathoura “International Women of Courage” Awards Presentation
U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
March 12, 2007
Thank you so much for the most wonderful award ever received. And thanks so much for believing me and giving me this award.
During my life, I desire to work in the areas of public interest where I can use all my skills, knowledge and experience from my schools and work places. In the middle of 2006, my dream came true when I was employed as a lawyer working in Public Interest Legal Advocacy Project (PILAP), a project of Community Legal Education Center (CLEC).
I have been closely involving in PILAP’s works of improving the rule of law and democracy in Cambodia by doing legal policy debate and advocacy; especially in the high impact land cases.
I really appreciate my colleagues discussing and helping me to better legal strategies for supporting the people, advocating and challenging against the corrupted officials and bad private sectors. In a way, this reward belongs to all my colleagues at CLEC.
Also my accomplishment today is because of my family – father and mother – who carefully brought me up and continues to give a great chance and support to my work and commitment for the public interest.
This award makes me even more determined to continue working and protecting the public interest in order to promote the rule of law and democracy in Cambodia. I will try my best to set this good example to other people in my working places and other Cambodian people; especially the women and children.
One of the cases I work on a lot these days is in Kong Yu and Kong Thom villages in Ratanakiri. You know, the rich and powerful people in Cambodia use a lot of tricks and illegal ways to take land from the poor people. We work hard in Kong Yu to get the people’s land back. We want a Cambodia where the law works for the rich and the poor, and where indigenous cultures are preserved.
Once again, thank the US embassy in Cambodia and US ambassador Joseph A. Mussomeli for giving me this award.
Before I finish my speech, I would suggest for US ambassador to have a visit to Kong Yuk and Kong Thom villages.
Thank everyone every much.
