United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)
The United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) was established to ensure implementation of the Agreements on the Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict, signed in Paris on October 23, 1991. Under the agreement, the Supreme National Council of Cambodia (SNC) was "the unique legitimate body and source of authority in which, throughout the transitional period, the sovereignty, independence and unity of Camobida are enshrined." SNC, which was made up of the four Cambodian factions, delegated to the United Nations "all powers necessary" to ensure the implementation of the Agreements. The mandate given to UNTAC included aspects relating to human rights, the organization and conduct of elections, military arrangements, civil administration, maintenance of law and order, repatriation and resettlement of refugees and displacement persons and rehabilitation of Cambodian infrastructure. UNTAC's mandate ended in September 1993 with the promulation of the Constitution for the Kingdom of Cambodia and the formation of the new Government. The following photographs are highlights of the UNTAC mission:
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The main building of UNTAC headquarters in Phnom Penh, located opposite the Wat Phnom. (UN Photo# 186432C) |
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Cambodians returning from refugee camps aboard a UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) train in August 1992. (UN Photo# 186094C) |
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At the Phnom Penh Reception Centre, the 100,000th Cambodian "returnee" is welcomed back home on August 28, 1992. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) acted as lead agency for the overall repatriation effort in Cambodia. (UN Photo# 186095C) |
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In December 1992, the Human Rights Office held a fair to encourage and publicise the growth of organizations that promote human rights. (UN Photo# 186430C) |
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A United Nations patrol boat with a naval observer plys the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh.(UN Photo# 197299C) |
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A rally and motorcade organized by the Democratic Party, one of the 120 parties recognized by UNTAC, in April 1993. (UN Photo#159846C) |
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View of UNTAC electoral staff showing a video on voting to residents of a village in Ratanakiri, in March 1993. (UN Photo#159765C) |
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Standing in a crowd of Cambodians, an UNTAC soldier from Ghana (centre, wtih cap) helps provide security for a multi-party political rally, in May 1993. (UN Photo# 186032C) |
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Mimicking the scene in a voter registration billboard, a Cambodian man displays his registration card in September 1992. The billboard was produced by the Information component of UNTAC. (UN Photo# 186058C) |
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A Civilian Police Officer (CIVPOL) from Ireland serving with UNTAC directs traffic in Phnom Penh after the conclusion of a multi-party political rally in May 1993. (UN Photo# 186035C) |
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Yasushi Akashi (centre, waving), the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Cambodia, visiting a polling station in Phnom Penh on the first day of voting. The election was held from May 23 - 28, 1993, under the supervision of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). (UN Photo# 159982C) |
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An UNTAC staff member (left) is examining the hand of a woman attempting to vote (right). Using an ultraviolet light, the UNTAC worker is looking for signs of the "invisible" ink which is applied to the right hand index fingers of all voters. The woman will be allowed to vote if her voter registration card is in order, and her finger is free of any previous inking. (UN Photo# 186004C) |
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A young girl poses with a United Nations flag in a rice field. (UN Photo# 192007C) |
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