Phnom Penh (dpa) - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour arrived in Cambodia Monday at the beginning of a four-day visit during which she is scheduled to meet with the king and top politicians.
Arbour flew into the northern capital of Siem Reap, where she will visit the World Heritage Angkor Wat temple complex before arriving in the capital to meet with both King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Her visit is the first by the world body's top rights official since 2002 and follows the controversial visit of UN rights envoy to Cambodia, Yash Ghai, in March, during which Ghai condemned the country's progress in the area of human rights, prompting a furious Hun Sen to call for his sacking.
During her visit, Arbour is expected to investigate the progress of the joint UN-Cambodian government tribunal to try former leaders of the Khmer Rouge. Up to two million Cambodians perished during the ultra-Maoist regime's 1975 to 1979 rule. The long awaited tribunal is expected to get underway in earnest some time next year.
Arbour is also scheduled to hold talks with UN and non-government officials, as well as meet with officials involved in setting up the tribunal and senior political figures.
Her visit is scheduled to end on Friday.
Arbour flew into the northern capital of Siem Reap, where she will visit the World Heritage Angkor Wat temple complex before arriving in the capital to meet with both King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Her visit is the first by the world body's top rights official since 2002 and follows the controversial visit of UN rights envoy to Cambodia, Yash Ghai, in March, during which Ghai condemned the country's progress in the area of human rights, prompting a furious Hun Sen to call for his sacking.
During her visit, Arbour is expected to investigate the progress of the joint UN-Cambodian government tribunal to try former leaders of the Khmer Rouge. Up to two million Cambodians perished during the ultra-Maoist regime's 1975 to 1979 rule. The long awaited tribunal is expected to get underway in earnest some time next year.
Arbour is also scheduled to hold talks with UN and non-government officials, as well as meet with officials involved in setting up the tribunal and senior political figures.
Her visit is scheduled to end on Friday.
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