The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the UN Office in Geneva delivered a total of 17 statements during the four-week 47th session of the Human Rights Council held from June 21 to July 14 of this year.

In a press statement on July 15, the Mission said it had featured many normative and practical achievements and progress Cambodia had made in wide-ranging areas of human rights.

It highlighted the government efforts in fighting Covid-19, procurement of vaccine, social assistance for the poor and vulnerable affected by the pandemic, and those affected by large-scale lockdowns.

It said the government had also worked hard on comprehensive land policies, integration of mental health services into the different levels of care across the health system, while the elimination of leprosy remains one of the government’s priorities.

Cambodia, as a state party to Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discriminations against Women (CEDAW), has committed to protecting women and girls from abuses. Such an effort is evidenced through the adoption of various social protection frameworks as well as delivery of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services at many points for women, the statement said.

“The delegation emphasised that unlawful or mercenary protests pressuring judiciary or disrupting public order are not a constitutional exercise of peaceful assembly,” it said.

The Mission also highlighted Cambodia’s efforts in realising the UN Sustainable Development Goals, eradicating drug and human trafficking, combating fake news, preventing genocide, among others.

During the 47th HRC session, the Kingdom also co-sponsor 11 joint statements, one decision and three resolutions on various issues from human rights to equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.