Monday, December 17, 2012

US presses Cambodia on human rights

(Photo: Demotix, Corbis)
Dec. 14, 2012
By Abby Seiff
The Phnom Penh Post

The US State Department called on Cambodia to heed the recommendations of UN special rapporteur Surya Subedi and said it would keep a close eye on the Kingdom in the lead-up to the 2013 general elections, a letter obtained yesterday reveals.

Sent on behalf of US President Barack Obama, the letter responds to a damning call in October by US lawmakers for pressure over Cambodia’s rights record.

In the December 4 reply, assistant secretary of legislative affairs David Adams highlighted the issues raised by Obama during a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen on the sidelines of ASEAN.

“He called Cambodia’s lack of respect for fundamental freedoms an ‘impediment’ to a deeper bilateral relationship. He emphasised that countries that do not uphold certain universal principles, such as respect for human rights, will have more difficulty integrating with the international community,” wrote Adams, adding silencing talk about land disputes and illegal logging was concerning.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since 1993 until now, the Western countries (esp. U.S, Japan, France and UK, .....) have sponsored more than $ 20 billion for Cambodia, in order to all Khmer people to live in real Domocratie and peace. But no chance, this country is still no real democracy and people live in fear from persecution of juridical system in different form with corruption to them.

Actually, with more than 20 years can this small country create the goal depend on the pease accord in Paris with help from UN already, but this regime will not do it with, because its policy was controlled by the comminist adjoining countrie and this country wants Cambodia remain so on and so they can dominate its economy market and push its own people to live in this country and later lead this country to Indochina federation, it is just a time to come. That's definitely the clear goal, but many Cambodians have no idea about this and they look forward only a short term, not more 100 years like adjoining countrie. It's time now that all Khmer must to know and shoose this destimy for your hand and the worl loving peace and freedom will stand by you.

Anonymous said...

FINALLY THE WORLD COME TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE! THE HUMAN RIGHT SITUATION IN CAMBODIA IS VERY VERY BAD. HOW MUCH LONGER CAN THIS IGNORANCE FOOL NAME HUN SEN GO ON WITH THIS KIND OF FOOL? IT'S TIME TO OVERTHROW HIM NOW!