UN Rapporteur Seeks Cambodia Generational Reform

Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations Office at Geneva In Dara and Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. Photo: Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the UN Office at Geneva via Facebook

PHNOM PENH – The UN Special Rapporteur urged Cambodia to forge ahead with an “intergenerational connection” at the national level for a promised democracy, pointing out challenges facing human rights situations despite official denials. 

Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, addressed the country's problem at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on Oct. 7 through his 4th annual report titled “Electoral Lights and Women's Rights.”

He raised challenges such as elections, harassment of political opposition, attacks on human rights defenders and environmentalists, inattention to the proposed human rights reform agenda for Cambodia, women limited in political power, economic constraints on women, socio-cultural discrepancy, and intimidation of female human rights defenders. 

Muntarbhorn said the 2023 national election was “ambivalent” and far from being free and fair with the disqualification of the opposition Candlelight Party due to its failed registration when it could not produce the original copy of the party’s certificate of registration.

“Electoral aspirations demand an end to the crackdown on opposition voices and to take the necessary actions to ensure genuine multi-party elections,” Muntarbhorn said.

Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations Office at Geneva In Dara said the report's inaccuracies stemmed from the insufficient integration of factual and legal accounts from state bodies, leading to erroneous grading and unfair assessment.

“Cambodia remains committed to her liberal democratic path,” he said. 

“Multi-party elections are regularly held in the Kingdom. In the run-up to the communal and parliamentary elections in 2023 and 2024, civil and political space has been broadened.”

Dara said the Special Rapporteur's focus on gender equality in Cambodia was incorrect, as women were often seen as the more powerful and influential gender in a matriarchal society.

Muntarbhorn cited the country ranking 116 out of 170 countries on the gender inequality index in 2023 while only 17 women hold places out of 125 in the National Assembly.

He said that 61 percent of SMEs are owned by women, leading to bank loans and massive microfinance debt while the other big industry and related assets are owned by men. 

In Dara said that the country’s focus is on promoting gender equality and empowering women both socially and economically.

However, Muntarbhorn acknowledged the constant promotion of gender equality in Cambodia.

State  Bodies Endorse the Report

Some high-profile countries welcomed the report on elections and women, calling Cambodia to open civil space and political rights and increase women’s representation in politics including in all top ministry positions.

The European Union appreciated Cambodia's cooperation with Human Rights mechanisms and the Special Rapporteur's role in monitoring rights. However, they condemn detentions, prosecutions, and harassment of political dissidents, activists, journalists, and opposition members.

“Just last week, a renowned Cambodian journalist, Mech Dara, was arrested and charged with ‘incitement’ for social media posts,” the EU said. “We call on the Government of Cambodia to expeditiously release persons detained for political reasons and to open up the space for political pluralization and inclusivity.”

Ambassador Oike Atsuyuki, Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva, said the Special Rapporteur’s report highlighted constraints on civic and political space, calling for Cambodia to protect and promote civil and political rights, including freedom of expression.

“We strongly hope that Cambodia will pay attention to the voices of the international community and work with various stakeholders to further improve its human rights situation,” he said.

Tania Ghazar, of the US delegation to the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva, said concerns persist regarding human rights abuses in Cambodia, including detentions of political opponents and prosecution of human rights advocates and environmentalists for incitement offenses.

“Cambodia’s law enforcement and judicial systems must work to preserve, not restrict, international human rights,” she said.

In Dara said the Special Rapporteur and human rights advocates had not highlighted the specific duties, responsibilities, and limitations enshrined in laws when exercising rights and freedoms.

“To qualify law enforcement as a restriction of the freedoms of certain groups is to denigrate the rule of law and its equal application to all citizens,” he said. 

 

“Cambodia continues to find the right balance between individual freedom and liberty on the one hand and the interests of the collective society on the other.”

 

Vitit Muntarbhorn said the intergenerational vision is based on multilateralism, and Cambodia has committed to creating peace,  demining and other humanitarian aid. However, there should be more commitment at the national level.

 

“Awaken by the clearance call to demonopolize and democratize Cambodia, the world community should, thus, leverage for effective political correctness and gender transformative change,” he said.

 

In Dara said democracy and human rights are a marathon, not a sprint. Cambodia's progress will be assessed by a majority of delegations, with encouragement for constructive ways forward.

 

“Cambodia remains steadfast in promoting and protecting human rights under the Constitution and within the rule of law, and in pursuing our irreversible democratic journey with pluralism,” he said.

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