(Kyodo) - The special representative of the U.N. secretary general for human rights in Cambodia said Thursday that human rights violations, attacks and intimidation still continue in the country.
"Impunity for human rights violations continue to pose a threat to the rule of law in Cambodia," Yash Ghai said in a statement released by the Cambodia Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"The special representative notes with alarm the continuation of attacks and intimidation against members of the workers' movement...Serious restrictions have been placed, illegally, on their right to assemble and carry out their responsibilities," said the statement which was released a few hours before Ghai concluded his third official visit to the country.
Ghai visited Cambodia on Tuesday for a three-day visit to update himself on the latest developments in the country before he presents his final report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva next month.
Upon arrival in the country, Ghai said he hoped to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and senior government officials to discuss human rights issues among others, but he was not allowed to meet with Hun Sen.
"He very much appreciated the opportunity to meet and discuss with H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng during his visit. However, he regrets that none of the other senior government officials he had hoped to meet were available to see him," the statement said.
Ghai has not been allowed to meet with Hun Sen since he was appointed as special envoy in November 2005.
Hun Sen has attacked Ghai several times over comments and critical reports about Cambodia.
In the latest statement, Ghai also expressed his grave concern over land issues, claiming that the livelihoods of rural communities have been destroyed.
"The report shows that economic land concessions, as presently granted, have compromised and destroyed the livelihoods of rural communities in favor of the enrichment of a few connected to the political establishment," he said in the statement.
"He is deeply concerned about the continuing alienation of indigenous land through land grabbing, illegal or coercive sales, and the grant of concessions, including mining licenses," the statement added.
Ghai welcomed the progress made by the government with regard to the less violent atmosphere in recent communal elections, the adoption of the Code of Penal Procedure and the country's economic growth.
"Impunity for human rights violations continue to pose a threat to the rule of law in Cambodia," Yash Ghai said in a statement released by the Cambodia Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"The special representative notes with alarm the continuation of attacks and intimidation against members of the workers' movement...Serious restrictions have been placed, illegally, on their right to assemble and carry out their responsibilities," said the statement which was released a few hours before Ghai concluded his third official visit to the country.
Ghai visited Cambodia on Tuesday for a three-day visit to update himself on the latest developments in the country before he presents his final report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva next month.
Upon arrival in the country, Ghai said he hoped to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and senior government officials to discuss human rights issues among others, but he was not allowed to meet with Hun Sen.
"He very much appreciated the opportunity to meet and discuss with H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng during his visit. However, he regrets that none of the other senior government officials he had hoped to meet were available to see him," the statement said.
Ghai has not been allowed to meet with Hun Sen since he was appointed as special envoy in November 2005.
Hun Sen has attacked Ghai several times over comments and critical reports about Cambodia.
In the latest statement, Ghai also expressed his grave concern over land issues, claiming that the livelihoods of rural communities have been destroyed.
"The report shows that economic land concessions, as presently granted, have compromised and destroyed the livelihoods of rural communities in favor of the enrichment of a few connected to the political establishment," he said in the statement.
"He is deeply concerned about the continuing alienation of indigenous land through land grabbing, illegal or coercive sales, and the grant of concessions, including mining licenses," the statement added.
Ghai welcomed the progress made by the government with regard to the less violent atmosphere in recent communal elections, the adoption of the Code of Penal Procedure and the country's economic growth.
2 comments:
How long do we have to suffer before anyone will take him out like ah Saddam Husein?
This CPP government activity in dealing with human rights abuses accusation and especially with important envoy of UN in Cambodia is not professional and intellectual.
Now, the world looks at Cambodia as the mafia state because those leaders don't greet special envoy of UN,the very respectful representative of the world. More than this, it doesn't affect bad to those few leaders only, but the long period of Cambodian country and her innocent people.
We can see the fruition and result of ignorant leadership in handling with some issuese that creates only bad reputation and damnation to the nation.
We don't forget that when Bill Clinton visited Cambodia, there were few low official leaders greeted him. But when Bill Clinton visited Vietnam, there were many elite state leaders greeted him. This is their smart international diplomatic action for the benefit of their nation.
With this same event, if any UN Envoy visits Vietnam, there will be hospital greeting and accompanying throughout the whole mission. They act like this, it doesn't mean that they love the envoy, but they hope for the good image of their country in the international stage.
Cambodian people seems like unfortunate to have few leaders who can damage their good image in the international stage.
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