PHNOM PENH - The Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) conducted two military-to-military subject matter expert exchanges with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces from 4 to 15 August.  The first workshop focused on the law governing military operations, while the second concentrated on comparative military justice systems.  These events were designed to support Cambodian efforts to develop a professional military under civilian control, enhance respect for the rule of law, and compliance with international human rights law.

These two bilateral engagements enhanced the military-to-military dialogue between the United States and Cambodia, as legal experts from both nations discussed the important role of legal officers in an operational context, and how progressive military justice systems use a variety of tools to maintain and enforce discipline while balancing the rights of individual soldiers.

The DIILS experts offered a variety of perspectives, including those of the Australian Defence Force, whose representative joined the team for the operational law workshop.  Cambodian participants included senior officers from all services of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces:  Army, Navy, Air Force and Gendarmes.