Yash Ghai, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special representative for human rights in Cambodia, speaks at a press conference at the conclusion of his 10-day visit to Cambodia, Tuesday, March 28, 2006. He remained cautious about recent improvement in the political situation in Cambodia and called on the government deliver concrete steps of reforms. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)U.N. special envoy still wary about human rights situation in Cambodia
By KER MUNTHIT (AP)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - A top U.N. envoy said Tuesday he still has concerns about human rights in Cambodia despite recent moves by Prime Minister Hun Sen to stop prosecuting his critics.
Yash Ghai, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special representative for human rights in Cambodia, said he was "personally very pleased" with the recent developments, but "the situation has not changed fundamentally" yet.
No progress has been made to allow for independence of the judiciary in Cambodia, where power is increasingly concentrated around "one individual," Ghai said at a press conference concluding his 10-day visit.
He did not name anyone specifically but was apparently referring to Hun Sen, whose decisions to prosecute critics for defamation and then drop the suits were quickly acted upon by the courts, clearly showing he is the one in control in Cambodia.
"I have talked to judges, politicians, and everyone is so scared, and it seems that everything depends on one individual. That's not really a precondition under which human rights can flourish," he said.
Ghai said he received a "very mixed set of opinions" from different people he met during his visit. Some of them expressed optimism that "change is indeed in the air," he said.
But others "expressed extreme skepticism that any change was in the offing," despite Hun Sen's about-face, Ghai said.
"My view is that the government has shown itself not very committed to human rights. Some of the improvements have taken place not because of but in spite of the government," he said, crediting local advocacy groups for working to promote human rights in Cambodia.
The human rights situation suffered a severe setback last year when Hun Sen launched lawsuits against more than half a dozen critics, including an opposition leader, a journalist and several prominent human rights activists. His actions drew strong condemnation at home and abroad.
Ghai also criticized the government for failing to address the increasing number of land disputes in Cambodia.
He urged foreign aid donors - who pledged US$601 million (500 million) in assistance early this month - to keep pressing for progress by holding the government to promises of reform that it has often failed to keep.
Yash Ghai, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special representative for human rights in Cambodia, said he was "personally very pleased" with the recent developments, but "the situation has not changed fundamentally" yet.
No progress has been made to allow for independence of the judiciary in Cambodia, where power is increasingly concentrated around "one individual," Ghai said at a press conference concluding his 10-day visit.
He did not name anyone specifically but was apparently referring to Hun Sen, whose decisions to prosecute critics for defamation and then drop the suits were quickly acted upon by the courts, clearly showing he is the one in control in Cambodia.
"I have talked to judges, politicians, and everyone is so scared, and it seems that everything depends on one individual. That's not really a precondition under which human rights can flourish," he said.
Ghai said he received a "very mixed set of opinions" from different people he met during his visit. Some of them expressed optimism that "change is indeed in the air," he said.
But others "expressed extreme skepticism that any change was in the offing," despite Hun Sen's about-face, Ghai said.
"My view is that the government has shown itself not very committed to human rights. Some of the improvements have taken place not because of but in spite of the government," he said, crediting local advocacy groups for working to promote human rights in Cambodia.
The human rights situation suffered a severe setback last year when Hun Sen launched lawsuits against more than half a dozen critics, including an opposition leader, a journalist and several prominent human rights activists. His actions drew strong condemnation at home and abroad.
Ghai also criticized the government for failing to address the increasing number of land disputes in Cambodia.
He urged foreign aid donors - who pledged US$601 million (500 million) in assistance early this month - to keep pressing for progress by holding the government to promises of reform that it has often failed to keep.
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