The CCHR was founded in 2002 by Kem Sokha, National Assembly Member (1993-1998) and Senator (1999-2002), and current National Assembly Member (2008- ) and leader of the Human Rights Party. The CCHR was registered with the Ministry of Interior in October 2002 and officially launched on 12 November 2002 to promote and protect democracy and human rights in Cambodia. It was to be governed by an impressive Board of Directors who shared a passion for human rights and Cambodia.

During Kem Sokha’s leadership, the CCHR became renowned for organising regular public forums throughout Cambodia. These remain the key project of our signature Community Empowerment Program. In December 2006, Kem Sokha and other civil rights leaders were arrested and imprisoned for allegedly defaming the Cambodian government. They were released after a campaign led by the CCHR’s current President Ou Virak. Kem Sokha was President of the CCHR from its launch to March 2007, when he resigned to form the Human Rights Party.

Since April 2007, the CCHR has been led by Ou Virak. Ou Virak is the founder of the Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC), and in 2007 he won the Reebok Human Rights Award for his earlier campaign to secure the release of Kem Sokha and the decriminalization of defamation in Cambodia.