Rights Restrictions Damage Poll Credibility: UN Experts
People wait for their turns to vote at a polling station in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua
- By Meng Seavmey
- August 3, 2023 5:59 PM
PHNOM PENH – Serious human rights violations and severe restrictions on civic and political space affected the credibility of Cambodia’s national elections on 23 July, UN experts say.
However, the government defended its record, saying the experts did not understand clearly the situation in Cambodia.
The special rapporteur experts, appointed by the UN but operating independently, said, “The lead up to recent national elections in Cambodia and its results are extremely disconcerting. It has affected the credibility of the entire electoral process.”
They cited a ban on the main opposition party, media restrictions and blockages and the harassment of perceived opponents of the ruling elite and said these had distorted the electoral process.
“As a result, the national elections were very unbalanced and raised major concerns for the international community.”
The shrinking democratic space and repressive practices linked to Cambodia’s political leadership seriously undermined a range of human rights and the promise of a liberal democracy under the country’s international obligations and the Paris Peace Agreements.
“Cambodia’s new government must abide by its international human rights obligations and the Paris Peace Agreements and address an array of serious human rights violations – old and new – which impede sustainable and inclusive development in the country.”
The experts said Cambodia’s human rights record would be considered by the UN Human Rights Council later this year, bringing the country’s 2022 commune elections and 2023 national elections into international focus.
“Thirty years since peace was assured by the Paris Peace Agreements, a major obstacle remains the failure to ensure and protect human rights and the systemic undermining of democratic principles.”
With Prime Minister Hun Sen set to transfer power to his eldest son, the international community must remain vigilant and prepare a cohesive international response to the country’s democratic crisis, they said.
Government spokesperson Phay Siphan disputed the experts’ statement.
“Before, during and after the election there were no protests or conflicts among the citizens who voted,” he said.
“We could see that the country was peaceful and the citizens even went for a trip after voting.
“The election was carried out based on the people’s will, and there were no foreigners interfering in the process. The election was not held to impress the UN.”
