Cambodia Says Comments on Human Rights by EU, Australia, and France Flawed
Cambodia Ambassador/Permanent Representative An Sokkhoeurn gives remark during the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council. Photo suppled
Cambodia’s permanent representative to the UN on Friday told the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights not to fallaciously portray Cambodia with selective, biased and politically motivated narratives with double standards.
Cambodia’s new ambassador An Sokkhoeurn’s statement came at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council on February 28 in Geneva, as the rights of reply to the EU, Australia, and France.
In his statement obtained today, Mr. Sokkhoeurn told the meeting about the fact that the Kingdom’s open political space has been well enhanced and amended Political Party Law paved the way for lifting the ban on political activities of 118 former opposition members.
He noted that 9 of them, who were rehabilitated formed new parties, taking the number of registered parties in Cambodia to 44. While many more wishes to seek their reinstatement, they were blocked by their own leadership, who branded those doing so as “traitors”.
“Unfortunately, the above-said countries turned a blind eye,” Mr. Sokkhoeurn said.
In the spirit of pluralism, he said the Supreme Consultative Council comprised of the ruling party and 15 non-elected parties was created in 2018, adding that the council regularly grills specific ministers on sensitive questions and independently investigates issues affecting social justice. Their outcomes are reported directly to the Prime Minister.
On freedom of media and opinions, Mr. Sokhhoeurn said Cambodia has a total of more than 1,000 printed and online media, TV, and radio stations while the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia broadcast in Khmer is accessible online without censorship.
Last year, the government authorized registration of VOA’s bureau in the kingdom. Cambodia is home to 7.8 million users of Facebook, a powerful platform for shaping public opinions.
“Political discourse and commenting on public affairs with insult, incited violence, racial discrimination and call for rebellion against a people-elected government do not equate freedom of expression and opinion,” he pointed.
“This week, my delegation highlighted the civil society freedom in my country twice in this Council to which the above-said delegations turned a deaf ear,” Mr. Sokkhoeurn added.
In Cambodia, he said all law-abiding political parties; civil society and media can operate freely. Only the law-breakers are disbanded.
“This holds true in all other countries in this Council. Crime is a crime, which cannot be justified for other aspirations,” Mr. Sokkhoeurn said.
He noted that the ongoing trial of Kem Sokha has been smooth and transparent, adding that the accused and his lawyers have engaged well in the legal proceedings. Representatives of foreign embassies, political parties, journalists and NGOs leave no seats vacant in the courtroom.
“My delegation notes that some countries have flawed rights record, namely attack media freedom, anti-protest law, discriminatory migrant policy and intolerance against minorities,” Mr. Sokkhoeurn said.
“However, Cambodia adheres to the principle of non-politicization. Therefore, all countries should refrain from instrumentalizing human rights with double standards if we are to create a climate of trust and credibility of this Council,” he added.
In his remark, Mr. Sokkoeurn said Cambodia is home to nearly 6,000 registered NGOs and to address their challenges, the government holds regular partnership forums with the civil society, with the fourth one held on 03 Feb 2020.
In Cambodia, he said all citizens are equally treated before the law regardless of their political affiliations, professions or social status as enshrined in article 31 of the Constitution.
“Cambodia remains committed to engaging in all human rights mechanisms. As a state party to eight core human rights conventions of the UN, Cambodia fulfills obligations under the treaty bodies,” Mr. Sokkhoeurn said.
