Latest news with #CHRC
Bangkok Post
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
New info wars front opens
The government has rejected accusations of abuses made by the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), as it responded to information wars concerning captive soldiers which have opened on yet another front. Cambodia's petition to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human for an urgent intervention was based on "distorted" facts relating to the clashes along the countries' shared border, Thailand's Border Situation Management Centre said on Sunday. The CHRC petition called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to help arrange the return of 20 Cambodian soldiers which Phnom Penh claimed were unlawfully detained by Thai forces after a ceasefire took effect at midnight on July 28. The ceasefire followed talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia, between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai that was facilitated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In response, the centre said the CHRC's letter misrepresented the events and was based on information that was not consistent with the facts. The government has come under fire for its poor attempts to counter persistent Cambodian misinformation as Phnom Penh appeals for sympathy on the world stage. The centre said Cambodia violated the truce when its troops attacked Thai forces with small arms and grenades in Phu Makheu in Si Sa Ket, resulting in hostilities which continued until the morning of July 30. The Cambodian soldiers were arrested during renewed fighting triggered by Phnom Penh's ceasefire breach, and their detention complied with international humanitarian law and as such cannot be construed as a violation of international law, it added. The centre also denied allegations of torture, insisting the arm injury suffered by one of the 20 soldiers was sustained in battle, not in custody. The injured soldier, along with another who suffered combat-related mental health issues, received medical treatment before they were repatriated, in line with the 1949 Geneva Convention and the long-standing International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) guidelines on wounded combatants. Thailand, the centre said, is ready to cooperate with the international observers to verify the facts and invited representatives from the ICRC and the UN human rights office to visit the Cambodian soldiers in Thai custody. In the summary of developments along the Thai-Cambodian border issued by the Second Army Region's Operations Center on Sunday, the centre noted troop movements along the border, though no active clashes were reported as of 2pm on Sunday. It said Thai troops remain in strategic operational zones in accordance with military readiness plans. Meanwhile, state agencies, private sector groups, and citizens are supporting humanitarian efforts to help over 100,000 displaced individuals across 495 shelters in Surin, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram and Ubon Ratchathani. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams have cleared 17 areas along the border of leftover explosives, with 63 zones still under inspection. The Bernama news ageny says Malaysia's Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin on Saturday met his Thai and Cambodian counterparts in preparation for the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Aug 7.
Bangkok Post
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand says Cambodian rights panel 'distorts' facts on border clash
Thailand has strongly rejected all accusations from the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), saying its claims to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights were 'distorted' and failed to reflect the facts surrounding recent clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Thailand-Cambodia Border Ad Hoc Centre said the CHRC's letter misrepresented events and provided distorted information that was not consistent with the facts. It stressed that both sides had agreed to an immediate ceasefire at midnight on 28 July following talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia, facilitated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai. However, Cambodia violated the truce when its troops attacked Thai forces with small arms and grenades in the Phu Makhu area of Si Sa Ket province, continuing hostilities until the morning of 30 July. The detention of 20 Cambodian soldiers took place during renewed fighting triggered by Phnom Penh's ceasefire breach. The detention complied fully with international humanitarian law and should not be construed as a violation of the ceasefire or international law, the centre said. The statement said all detainees were treated humanely. On Aug 1, two Cambodian prisoners of war — one injured in the arm during combat and another suffering from combat-related mental health issues — were repatriated to Cambodia on humanitarian grounds, in line with the 1949 Geneva Conventions and long-standing International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) guidelines. The centre denied allegations of torture, insisting the arm injury was sustained in battle, not in custody. Medical examinations were conducted, and both detainees received initial treatment before their return. It said Thailand stands ready to cooperate with the international community in verifying the facts and has also invited representatives from the ICRC and the UN human rights office to visit the remaining Cambodian detainees.
CBS News
02-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Community Healing Response Network offers support, resources to Boston residents after traumatic incidents
When Boston Mayor Michelle Wu addressed reporters about the death of a five-year old boy who was hit by a bus and killed in Hyde Park, her voice shook with emotion. Expressing sympathy for the boy's family and his community, she assured residents that the city's Community Healing Response Network would be available to anyone who needed help to process the trauma. CHRC, which operates under the Boston Public Health Commission, involves hospitals, health care providers, faith leaders, community groups, and the responders themselves; roughly 30 people who live in the city and undergo training to provide emotional support and (with CPR and Stop The Bleed training) assistance during medical emergencies. Most often, they respond to incidents of gun violence but also report to crime scenes and deadly accidents when the victims are 18 and younger. "Sometimes people just need you to be there," explains CHRC Director Donald Osgood. "This work for me is very important." "Psychological first aid" Osgood grew up in Boston. A father and grandfather, his first "psychological first aid" training came when he decided to volunteer. He mentions, good-naturedly, "I was a knucklehead when I was a young fellow." Osgood knows how it feels to survive violent crime. He was stabbed twice in the late 1980's (in one attack, he was stabbed multiple times) and was shot in 1990. Eventually, he transformed his life into one of advocacy and purpose. "I wanted to give back," he explains. He has been working in violence prevention in Boston for the past 20 years. "My God-given gift is to be present for people during these times," he says when asked about his work at CHRC. "It's rewarding and sad at the same time because we're meeting people when something crazy has taken place in their lives." Osgood says that he leans on his faith and his therapist. He is glad that the stigma around mental health is changing. "None of the things I do were around when I was young... Back then there was no thought to it. We didn't talk about trauma." He and the team of responders offer what wasn't available when he was a young man. "There was nothing in place, so I went through all those different emotions myself," he explained. Building relationships in the neighborhoods Osgood says that because responders live in the neighborhoods they serve, people are often more willing to trust them and open up. Relationships matter. It's not unusual for him--or another network responder--to receive a call from a community member about an incident even before Boston Police reach out to the network. When responders arrive, they make themselves available to people who may need basic items like water or tissues. They watch and listen. They help people in heightened states of anxiety begin to calm down. They offer support at the scene and, sometimes, weeks or months after the incident. Osgood says it is not unusual for a family member to brush off help in the hours immediately after a traumatic event, only to decide it's necessary later. Days, weeks, or even months later, he says, the network responders are there to help. The goal, whenever someone calls, is to connect them with resources that foster healing. Marilyn Forman, a leader in two community associations who also serves as the Director of Community Organizing and Resident Engagement at Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation partners with CHRC. She says it is a critical, much-appreciated resource when people are hurting. "They're compassionate because they're from the neighborhood," Forman said. "They understand the grief and what you're going through. And part of your healing is about connecting and talking." "They never leave you" When an entire neighborhood is processing the same grief, talking with someone who is trained to assist can be especially valuable. "You have your family. You have your friends. But they're going through it too. So when the response team shows up, they're trained to be that ear and to listen to how people are offer the different supports and resources to help people. And they never leave you. That's what makes the biggest difference." Osgood says, in Hyde Park, CHRC will work with the neighborhood association when the time is right to put together "healing circles" for the community. Asked what feels most gratifying in his work, he looks out at families playing in the South End's Titus Sparrow Park. "Seeing kids smile. Seeing a mom who may have gone through something heavy walk away--at least with a smile on her face knowing that it doesn't feel good today, but we're going to get through it," Osgood said. "And we have people working with us to help us get through it." Support is available to ALL residents who feel affected by community violence. You can access services by calling the support line at 617-431-0125. You can also reach out to the Community Healing and Response Network neighborhood teams directly. All services are free and confidential.
CBS News
02-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Community Healing Resource Network offers support, resources to Boston residents after traumatic incidents
When Boston Mayor Michelle Wu addressed reporters about the death of a five-year old boy who was hit by a bus and killed in Hyde Park, her voice shook with emotion. Expressing sympathy for the boy's family and his community, she assured residents that the city's Community Healing Resource Network would be available to anyone who needed help to process the trauma. CHRC, which operates under the Boston Public Health Commission, involves hospitals, health care providers, faith leaders, community groups, and the responders themselves; roughly 30 people who live in the city and undergo training to provide emotional support and (with CPR and Stop The Bleed training) assistance during medical emergencies. Most often, they respond to incidents of gun violence but also report to crime scenes and deadly accidents when the victims are 18 and younger. "Sometimes people just need you to be there," explains CHRC Director Donald Osgood. "This work for me is very important." "Psychological first aid" Osgood grew up in Boston. A father and grandfather, his first "psychological first aid" training came when he decided to volunteer. He mentions, good-naturedly, "I was a knucklehead when I was a young fellow." Osgood knows how it feels to survive violent crime. He was stabbed twice in the late 1980's (in one attack, he was stabbed multiple times) and was shot in 1990. Eventually, he transformed his life into one of advocacy and purpose. "I wanted to give back," he explains. He has been working in violence prevention in Boston for the past 20 years. "My God-given gift is to be present for people during these times," he says when asked about his work at CHRC. "It's rewarding and sad at the same time because we're meeting people when something crazy has taken place in their lives." Osgood says that he leans on his faith and his therapist. He is glad that the stigma around mental health is changing. "None of the things I do were around when I was young... Back then there was no thought to it. We didn't talk about trauma." He and the team of responders offer what wasn't available when he was a young man. "There was nothing in place, so I went through all those different emotions myself," he explained. Building relationships in the neighborhoods Osgood says that because responders live in the neighborhoods they serve, people are often more willing to trust them and open up. Relationships matter. It's not unusual for him--or another network responder--to receive a call from a community member about an incident even before Boston Police reach out to the network. When responders arrive, they make themselves available to people who may need basic items like water or tissues. They watch and listen. They help people in heightened states of anxiety begin to calm down. They offer support at the scene and, sometimes, weeks or months after the incident. Osgood says it is not unusual for a family member to brush off help in the hours immediately after a traumatic event, only to decide it's necessary later. Days, weeks, or even months later, he says, the network responders are there to help. The goal, whenever someone calls, is to connect them with resources that foster healing. Marilyn Forman, a leader in two community associations who also serves as the Director of Community Organizing and Resident Engagement at Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation partners with CHRC. She says it is a critical, much-appreciated resource when people are hurting. "They're compassionate because they're from the neighborhood," Forman said. "They understand the grief and what you're going through. And part of your healing is about connecting and talking." "They never leave you" When an entire neighborhood is processing the same grief, talking with someone who is trained to assist can be especially valuable. "You have your family. You have your friends. But they're going through it too. So when the response team shows up, they're trained to be that ear and to listen to how people are offer the different supports and resources to help people. And they never leave you. That's what makes the biggest difference." Osgood says, in Hyde Park, CHRC will work with the neighborhood association when the time is right to put together "healing circles" for the community. Asked what feels most gratifying in his work, he looks out at families playing in the South End's Titus Sparrow Park. "Seeing kids smile. Seeing a mom who may have gone through something heavy walk away--at least with a smile on her face knowing that it doesn't feel good today, but we're going to get through it," Osgood said. "And we have people working with us to help us get through it." Support is available to ALL residents who feel affected by community violence. You can access services by calling the support line at 617-431-0125. You can also reach out to the Community Healing and Response Network neighborhood teams directly. All services are free and confidential.
