Joseph Scheuer, UN resident coordinator in Cambodia, said respect for human rights is improving in Cambodia, and he plans to work with the government to improve them further in the coming years.

Scheuer, who was appointed in October last year, paid a February 6 courtesy call on Keo Remy, chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC).

Scheuer commended the CHRC and thanked the committee for its continued cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia. He praised the government for allowing the OHCHR to continue its mandate and mission to assist the country.

During the meeting, Remy highlighted the “excellent” cooperation in the field of human rights between the CHRC and the UN Office in Cambodia, as well as the OHCHR. He reiterated his intention to continue to cooperate in the future.

CHRC spokesman Chin Malin said Scheuer had praised the work of the committee, as well as the UN Office and especially the OHCHR.

He added that the UN Office has been working closely with the CHRC, especially through training and capacity building. He was also pleased with the UN’s contributions to report writing, as well as report defence.

“Scheuer encouraged the CHRC to work with whichever UN agencies it deems necessary. He reminded [Remy] that support and technical assistance is available in connection with our work of promoting human rights and protecting the rights and freedoms of the Cambodian people,” Malin said.