UN Human Rights Council 39: UK Statement on Cambodia
The UK conveyed its concern with the human rights situation in Cambodia. The UK called for all charges against CNRP President, Kem Sokha, to be dropped and allow for opposition voices to be heard.
Thank you, Mr Vice-President,
The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report.
The UK is deeply concerned at the current human rights situation in Cambodia. We share the Special Rapporteur’s concerns about the severe regression of political rights, marked by the dissolution of the CNRP and banning of 118 CNRP officials from political activity. We urge the Government of Cambodia to allow for credible multi-party democracy and free debate. This was conveyed to the Cambodian Prime Minister in August by the Rt Hon Mark Field MP, UK Minister of State, as the first visiting overseas Minister after the National Elections.
We urge the Government of Cambodia to ensure that opposition and civil society voices are heard and given a credible role in policy making. The transfer of Kem Sokha to his family home was a move in the right direction, but we encourage the Government to drop all charges against Kem Sokha, and to take necessary and significant further steps to ensure the widening of political participation in Cambodia. We echo the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation that the Government should remove the ban on the 118 former CNRP members from engaging in political activities. We urge the Government to explore ways in which the international community can support the implementation of the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations.
Mr Vice-President,
Acknowledging the steps taken by the Government since the Special Rapporteur’s report issued, we would welcome her views on what further steps she believes are required to ensure greater and fairer political participation in Cambodia.
Thank you.