Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Majority of state delegates spoke in favor of human rights progress in Cambodia

Majority of state delegates spoke in favor of human rights progress in Cambodia

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cambodia An Sokkhoeurn (right) met with the Special Rapporteur Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn to discuss the meetings for the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council on the afternoon of October 03, 2022. SUPPLIED

Majority of state delegates spoke in favor of human rights progress in Cambodia

Thirty out of 39 state delegates spoke in favor of the efforts, progress and achievements of Cambodia in promoting and protecting human rights on many fronts. They also urged working methods for the UN Special Rapporteur to be balanced and constructive, taking into account the perspective of the government and national circumstances.

The Permanent Mission of Cambodia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva said in an October 6 press statement that a total of 39 state delegations attended an Interactive Dialogue with Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur (SR) on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia, on October 5.

30 of them commended the successful response to the Covid-19 pandemic by Cambodian authorities due to the high rates of vaccinations and social protection initiatives in support of women, job-suspended workers and vulnerable groups; among others.

The permanent mission said some had also congratulated Cambodia on its success in holding the June 5 commune councill elections and its efforts to ensure a free, fair and orderly election in a peaceful and transparent manner.

They said that nine delegates made comments critical of Cambodia, suggesting that Cambodia needs to broaden its civic and political space, increase respect for freedom of expression and the media, allow more peaceful assembly, and form an independent judiciary.

Nevertheless, all of them welcomed the Kingdom’s ongoing cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms, and its progress on economic, social and cultural rights, particularly on the health-related front.

An Sokkhoeurn, Cambodian ambassador and permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva had underlined that human rights were rarely about perfection, rather a marathon of progress, according to the statement.

“Finally, he reiterated Cambodia’s firm commitment, in cooperation with all partners, to promote and protect human rights within the rule of law, to advance sustainable development, to uphold our hard-won peace, and to pursue our irreversible democratic journey with pluralism, including the parliamentary elections next year, in a free, fair, orderly, peaceful and transparent manner,” the statement said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.