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.
