UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Mr. Thomas Andrews has pledged to continue cooperating closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia in a constructive spirit and based on national and international law.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at the Peace Palace on Thursday, Mr. Thomas Andrews expressed his deep appreciation to the Royal Government and relevant ministries and institutions for their open and constructive cooperation during his mission. He briefed Samdech Thipadei on his meetings with senior officials, representatives of ministries and institutions, civil society organisations, as well as his visit to camps housing people displaced by the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict.
Mr. Andrews highly commended the Royal Government’s efforts to provide assistance and support to people displaced by the border conflict who have yet to return to their homes. He also praised Cambodia for accepting eight of the nine relevant human rights instruments and affirmed his readiness to cooperate closely with Cambodia in a constructive spirit, based on national and international law.
In response, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet congratulated Mr. Andrews on his appointment as UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia and stressed that the Royal Government needs partners willing to cooperate in a constructive and equitable manner.
The Prime Minister highlighted the Royal Government’s commitment to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international human rights instruments, particularly the rights to access healthcare and education. He stressed, however, that the exercise of rights and freedoms must be carried out responsibly and within the limits of the law.
Samdech Thipadei further underlined that, regardless of whether a country is large or small, the enforcement of laws and promotion of human rights must be based on the rule of law, while recognising that each country has its own particular circumstances.
The Prime Minister encouraged the Special Rapporteur to continue working closely with relevant ministries and institutions and urged him to ensure that future reports are based on comprehensive information and perspectives from all relevant stakeholders, contributing to further progress in the promotion and protection of human rights in Cambodia.
Before concluding the meeting, Samdech Thipadei briefed Mr. Andrews on the latest developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border and reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving the border issue peacefully, in accordance with international law and existing conventions, treaties and agreements between Cambodia and Thailand.
