Land Rights in Countries in Transition : A Case Study of Human Rights Impact of Economic Land Concessions in Cambodia

This article aims to provide an assessment of the human rights impact of economic land concessions (ELCs) and other land concessions in Cambodia (generally referred to as “land concessions” throughout the article unless otherwise specified). It includes not only an analysis pertaining to agro-industry (for example, rubber, sugar, acacia, and cassava plantations), but also to concessions for mining, oil and gas, forestry, and concessions for the purposes of tourism, property development, and large scale development projects, such as hydropower dams. The situation in Cambodia is a particularly interesting one. At the outset, it should be noted that historical circumstances, including policies of the Khmer Rouge regime, have led to the proliferation of land disputes that the government is trying to manage. It should also be noted that Cambodia as a developing country may wish to utilize its land and natural resources in order for the country to develop and become more prosperous