Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has welcomed the United Nations Special Rapporteur’s intention to visit Cambodia’s border areas to assess the situation of people displaced by the border conflict, while providing further explanation on the history of the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute and its impact on Cambodian civilians.
The remarks were made during a courtesy meeting between Samdech Techo and Mr. Thomas Andrews, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, at the Senate’s Solidarity Palace on Wednesday, according to H.E. Chea Thyrith, Spokesperson for the Senate.
During the meeting, Samdech Techo congratulated Mr. Andrews on his appointment as the new Special Rapporteur, succeeding Mr. Vitit Muntarbhorn, who resigned from the post. He expressed hope that the rapporteur’s mission would help provide a clearer understanding of Cambodia’s progress in human rights and democratic development through first-hand observation of the situation on the ground.
Mr. Andrews thanked Samdech Techo for granting the meeting, describing it as a positive sign reflecting Cambodia’s openness and its willingness to engage in dialogue on human rights issues.
Drawing on his previous experience as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Mr. Andrews noted that he had never been afforded the opportunity to meet a country’s top leadership in the same way as in Cambodia.
He also commended Cambodia for being among the countries in the region that have ratified numerous international human rights treaties. Mr. Andrews said he had been closely following developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border and intended to visit the affected areas to meet displaced people and gain a first-hand understanding of the situation. He also raised several issues related to the human rights situation, particularly freedom of expression.
In response, Samdech Techo thanked the Special Rapporteur for acknowledging Cambodia’s achievements in ratifying international human rights treaties and accepting numerous recommendations from UN human rights mechanisms.
Regarding human rights, Samdech Techo stressed that the rights to life, peace and stability constitute the foundation for safeguarding other rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression.
He affirmed that the Royal Government of Cambodia welcomes constructive criticism and freedom of expression, provided that the exercise of such rights is carried out in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws.
Samdech Techo also underlined that no country has achieved perfection in the fields of human rights and democracy, noting that every nation has shortcomings that require continuous improvement.
He expressed hope that Mr. Andrews would continue to work closely with the Royal Government to further advance human rights and democratic development in Cambodia.
