DSI welcomed the Director General of the General Department of Identification, Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and UNHCR officials for a study visit on addressing statelessness

On September 20, 2024, Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Acting Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), assigned Police Captain Wisanu Chimtrakool, Deputy Director-General of the DSI, Mr. Angsuket Visuthvatanasak, Director of Justice Enhancement Affairs Bureau, and relevant officials to welcome Lieutenant General Dr. Top Neth, Director General of the General Department of Identification (GDI), Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and his delegation. The visit also included representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the DSI's Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime Bureau. The meeting took place in Meeting Room 1 on the 1st floor of the DSI building. The purpose of the visit was to exchange work experiences and discuss collaborative approaches to address the issue of statelessness.

Police Captain Wisanu Chimtrakool welcomed the delegation, followed by a presentation from the Director of Justice Enhancement Affairs Bureau. The presentation outlined the DSI's overall mission and introduced an integrated plan to resolve statelessness issues, aligning with the Ministry of Justice's policy of ensuring comprehensive and equitable access to justice for all. This plan incorporates Design Thinking and public participation concepts, which are key mechanisms for enhancing public engagement under proper guidelines and procedures.

In addressing the issue of statelessness, the DSI utilizes its expertise in interviewing techniques, assisting competent officers to interview witnesses in accordance with the law. They also conduct field visits to ethnic minority communities, the target group, to survey and identify problems. This plays a crucial role in supporting government agencies such as the Department of Provincial Administration, the Central Institute of Forensic Science, and the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, as well as private sector networks like the Legal Status Network Foundation, Plan International, and the UNHCR.

Lieutenant General Dr. Top Neth expressed gratitude to the DSI executives and officials for welcoming the GDI delegation. He explained that the GDI is responsible for issuing birth certificates, marriage certificates, national ID cards, and granting citizenship. The knowledge gained from the DSI will be adapted and applied to assist both the citizens and immigrants in Cambodia.

Police Captain Wisanu Chimtrakool added that the problem of statelessness is a national issue that requires promotion and encouragement of integrated collaboration across all sectors. The DSI stands ready to cooperate with the GDI in driving concrete solutions to this problem.