2010 Human Rights Report: Cambodia: US Department of State

2010 Human Rights Report: Cambodia

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

April 8, 2011
Source: US Department of State

Click here to download the report in PDF format

Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with an elected government and a population of approximately 14 million. In the most recent national elections, held in 2008, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, won 90 of 123 National Assembly seats. Most observers assessed that the election process improved over previous elections but did not fully meet international standards. The CPP consolidated control of the three branches of government and other national institutions, with most power concentrated in the hands of the prime minister. Although civilian authorities nominally controlled the security forces, in many instances security forces acted under directives of CPP leadership.

Members of security forces committed arbitrary killings and acted with impunity. Detainees were abused, often to extract confessions, and prison conditions were harsh. Human rights monitors reported arbitrary arrests and prolonged pretrial detention, underscoring a weak judiciary and denial of the right to a fair trial. Land disputes and forced evictions, sometimes violent, continued. The government restricted freedom of speech and of the press through defamation and disinformation lawsuits and at times interfered with freedom of assembly. Corruption was endemic. Civil society expressed significant concern that the draft Law on Associations and Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) could seriously constrain the ability of NGOs to operate. Domestic violence and child abuse occurred, education of children was inadequate, and trafficking in women and children persisted. The government offered little assistance to persons with disabilities. Antiunion activity by employers and weak enforcement of labor laws continued, and child labor in the informal sector remained a problem.

RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From:

a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life

There were no reports that the government or its agents committed politically motivated killings; however, security forces reportedly committed arbitrary killings, although fewer than in previous years.

The NGO Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) reported 12 arbitrary killings, four of which were allegedly committed by police, three by military police officers, and five by soldiers. Police arrested suspects in three cases.

UN Human Rights Council to open first session with US as member [-Human rights report on Cambodia will be presented]

Mon, 14 Sep 2009
DPA

Geneva - The United Nations Human Rights Council was opening its autumn session on Monday, with the United States assuming a seat on the body for the first time. However, a debate of how to deal with Honduras was holding up the start by several hours, diplomats said.

The Central American country underwent a military takeover since the last council session, leading to confusion on how to handle the country's representative, who has sided with the coup leaders.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, was expected to criticize the constitutional crisis there in her opening remarks to the council.

Earlier this year, the US was elected to the 47-member council that the administration of former president George W Bush had shunned since it came into existence in 2006, saying it was biased.

The council was created from the ashes of the Commission on Human Rights, which was seen as being generally ineffective and was discredited in certain circles.

US President Barack Obama's administration, as part of its programme of international outreach, decided to run for the council earlier this year, despite some reservations. The move received widespread support from within the UN.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said last week during a speech that while there were concerns about joining the council, her diplomats would work for "upholding universal standards for freedom of expression as we combat intolerance and discrimination everywhere it rears it head."

Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs Esther Brimmer was to represent Washington at the opening session.

In a statement, the US mission to Geneva, where the council is housed, said the government "looks forward to employing its voice in the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights and liberties."

Obama's administration hoped the body would "be the pre-eminent UN forum for the credible, balanced and effective advancement of human rights."

The council was scheduled to remain in session until October 2. Issues to be discussed would include modern slavery, children in war and the right to food and water.

Members would also focus on the global financial crisis in one afternoon meeting this week and later this month were set to hold a session on racism.

Experts on human rights would also deliver reports on situations in specific countries, including Cambodia and the troubled Somalia.

During what is expected to be a heated day at the end of the month, South African Justice Richard Goldstone and his fact-finding team would issue their report on Israel's war earlier this year in the Gaza Strip.

The fighting, which started in late December and lasted for three weeks, saw approximately 1,400 Palestinians killed along with 13 Israelis.