Since the ousting of First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh in July 1997, tens of thousands of Cambodians have fled from their homes as fighting between rival groups has again erupted. Political killings continue, and the evidence against the security forces is in some cases overwhelming, yet there is institutionalized impunity for those suspected of human rights violations. Current investigations into human rights abuses seem to be directed at discrediting the work of human rights monitors, rather than searching for the truth. Trials in absentia of Prince Norodom Ranariddh are scheduled to take place; Amnesty International fears that his right to a fair trial has already been prejudiced by reporting in state controlled media that has ignored the right to the presumption of innocence
