Throughout the retreat and my time with various colleagues in Cambodia, I was moved by the group of committed lawyers IBJ is blessed with. One of those committed lawyers was Tharun who I do not know very well. Like Mr. Vandeth, he’s not one with many words. But into the second year of his work in remote Prey Veng, Mr. Vandeth identified him as one of the leaders. A great quality of a leader is not only to lead, but let others lead and find those others. Tharun also often wears a puzzling face that makes you wonder what he is thinking about. Perhaps that is one of his strengths. But I was talking to him one on one, as the new incoming Deputy Director, in my peaceful hotel room. I was not asking much about his work, but about himself. After he left the job of DRC coordinator at Prey Veng, he was offered a prestigious job of Undersecretary of Justice, which he took. However, he was only there for 6 months. While the job was important, he realized that it was not what he actually wanted. He then came back to IBJ as the Deputy Director. I have a lot of respect for all legal fellows, like Tharun, Ms. Im, and Ms. Peak in Phnom Penh, who have been with us for many years and do cases at the appeals court. I saw them during the retreat, putting their hands on the back of Mr. Vandeth, when he was pouring water from a bottle on to a plate during the alms-giving to monks at Udong temple. That showed something – support to one another and oneness in many! Ms. Peak always treats me with a smile. I do not know her personally, but I know that she is hell of a committed lawyer. She was once flabbergasted by an expert trainer, Michael Karnavas, for leaving temporarily in the middle of her training. Michael told me that he yelled at one of our lawyers. Mr. Peak told me it was she who walked out to answer a phone call by a client, which she thought was more important than the training. Although Michael and Ms. Peak have not had the best first experience of getting to know each other, I am sure they could be good friends based on one account – they are both extremely committed to defending their clients.

Mao Sary in Ratanakiri, Makara in Mondulkiri, Kalayan in Battambang, Ly Kosal in Takeo, Kin Vibhol… I could go on with the list. I also do not want to leave anyone out here, Long Savouen who work on finance, all the admin staff like Sarika in Prey Veng who have been with us for many years. The investigators like Sok Sophoes in Ratanakiri, Chan Vanny in Prey Veng all other investigators in all DRCs whose name are not mentioned here.  What I wanted to say here is that they are all brilliant lawyers/justice workers and extremely brave human beings. I am extremely proud of them. I think they are the brave ones, who are doing their job, one case at a time, one accused at a time, making a difference, not to get fame or attention by media but to make a long-lasting effect on the way accused are dealt with within the Cambodian criminal justice system. They are defending the 95% or more of so called “anonymous accused”—the ordinary Cambodians, the poor, the illiterate, the rural, the indigenous who do not speak Khmer. They are the anonymous defenders defending the anonymous masses. But they are the ones that ARE making the difference. The changes they have created are apparent when you go to these provinces and talk to justice officials. These IBJ defenders in Cambodia have earned the respect not only from the public, but also justice officials. They have not worked for it, but their hard work has earned it!

During the retreat they talked passionately about how to move IBJ Cambodia to the next level: comprehensive criminal legal aid to all Cambodian women, men and children, in every corner of Cambodia so that no one will fear of being tortured when they get arrested. Before my trip to Cambodia, Karen told me that these defenders are fired up. They are, indeed.

While they consider me as their big boss, I felt miniature in front of them. They are the foot soldiers of justice who are making the change. I was so glad to get the opportunity to be with them for two days and listen and learn from them. And in the end, I had a terrific feeling that IBJ in Cambodia is a much stronger organization than I could imagine. There is a certain spirit among all the 39 staff and 12 volunteers. That was unique. In the end, it was one big family whose father was Ouk Vandeth.

This visit renewed my belief in IBJ’s mission at large and specifically in Cambodia. IBJ lawyers are special, they have that IBJ DNA in them. They are brave, resilient and hardworking. They do not look for ways into the limelight. They are so committed to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable of their country. I felt blessed among them. I see a very bright future for them. I see a bright future for the rule of law in Cambodia with their existence and perseverance. It was a great feeling with which to leave Cambodia.