Showing posts with label UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
UN Rights Envoy Sees Mixed Results After Visit to Cambodia
Robert Carmichael, VOA
Phnom Penh Friday, 25 February 2011
Phnom Penh Friday, 25 February 2011
"Criticism is not a crime, but an exercise of freedom of conscience, and an act of intelligence."
The United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights wrapped up his fourth visit to Cambodia on Thursday saying significant issues remained unresolved.
Surya Subedi said his fourth visit to Cambodia had produced a mixed bag of results, with limited government cooperation on measures for judicial reform that he had recommended after his last trip here in June.
On Thursday Subedi highlighted freedom of expression and land rights as key ongoing issues.
Phnom Penh has for several years pursued its perceived critics through the courts, with some people jailed or forced overseas to avoid prison sentences handed down by a compliant judiciary.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Interview with UN Special Rapporteur Surya Subedi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPnMlZCA7GI
Part 1 of 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyAboutJ1H0&feature=related
Part 2 of 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DexSU55wpM0&feature=related
Part 3 of 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcpihTciGFw&feature=related
Part 4 of 4
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
UN envoy’s mission to focus on justice
Surya Subedi (Photo: Reuters)Monday, 07 June 2010
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post
SURYA Subedi, the UN’s special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia, will arrive in the country Tuesday for a 10-day trip, during which he will assess the state of the country’s judicial system, UN officials said.
“I will focus my mission to Cambodia on the functioning of the judiciary as part of my ongoing assessment of institutions critical to the promotion and protection of human rights, with a view to assessing the extent to which it is accessible to ordinary Cambodians and delivers justice,” Subedi said in a statement issued Friday by the local office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The visit – Subedi’s third since he was appointed to the position in 2009 – will also include meetings with King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, judicial officials and civil society representatives.
Tith Sothea, a member of the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers, said Sunday that officials from the government-run Cambodian Human Rights Committee will welcome Subedi and work with him in order to improve the human rights situation in Cambodia.
“We will continue to cooperate with him to promote human rights issues and continue to reform our judicial system to serve the interest of democracy in Cambodia,” he said.
Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the judiciary’s lack of independence was on display last Wednesday when the Supreme Court upheld a conviction against Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Mu Sochua, who has been charged with defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“Freedom of expression remains a hot issue, and we will raise the controversial conviction of opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua as an example of the rights violations and judicial loopholes that allow the powerful and the rich to put pressure on freedom of expression and the poor,” he said.
Each year, Subedi presents a report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva assessing the Cambodian human rights situation.
“I will focus my mission to Cambodia on the functioning of the judiciary as part of my ongoing assessment of institutions critical to the promotion and protection of human rights, with a view to assessing the extent to which it is accessible to ordinary Cambodians and delivers justice,” Subedi said in a statement issued Friday by the local office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The visit – Subedi’s third since he was appointed to the position in 2009 – will also include meetings with King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, judicial officials and civil society representatives.
Tith Sothea, a member of the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers, said Sunday that officials from the government-run Cambodian Human Rights Committee will welcome Subedi and work with him in order to improve the human rights situation in Cambodia.
“We will continue to cooperate with him to promote human rights issues and continue to reform our judicial system to serve the interest of democracy in Cambodia,” he said.
Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the judiciary’s lack of independence was on display last Wednesday when the Supreme Court upheld a conviction against Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Mu Sochua, who has been charged with defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“Freedom of expression remains a hot issue, and we will raise the controversial conviction of opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua as an example of the rights violations and judicial loopholes that allow the powerful and the rich to put pressure on freedom of expression and the poor,” he said.
Each year, Subedi presents a report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva assessing the Cambodian human rights situation.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
U.N. special rapporteur to make second visit to Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A special rapporteur of the United Nations is planned to make his second visit to Cambodia next week, according to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Saturday.
In a statement released on Saturday, the OHCHR said Surya Prasad Subedi, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, will visit Cambodia on Jan. 18-30.
This is his second mission to Cambodia. "He intends to use the visit to examine the functioning of the National Assembly and judiciary, including the Supreme Council of Magistracy and the Constitutional Council," the statement said.
His objective is to conduct an analysis of how these institutions work, and the extent to which they provide citizens recourse and remedy for breaches of their rights.
The Special Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council to follow and report on the human rights situation in Cambodia.
His task is to assess the human rights situation, report publicly about it, and work with the Government, civil society and others to foster international cooperation in this field.
In a statement released on Saturday, the OHCHR said Surya Prasad Subedi, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, will visit Cambodia on Jan. 18-30.
This is his second mission to Cambodia. "He intends to use the visit to examine the functioning of the National Assembly and judiciary, including the Supreme Council of Magistracy and the Constitutional Council," the statement said.
His objective is to conduct an analysis of how these institutions work, and the extent to which they provide citizens recourse and remedy for breaches of their rights.
The Special Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council to follow and report on the human rights situation in Cambodia.
His task is to assess the human rights situation, report publicly about it, and work with the Government, civil society and others to foster international cooperation in this field.
Monday, October 05, 2009
UN rep responds to CPP
Monday, 05 October 2009
James O’Toole and Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post
James O’Toole and Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post
THE UN’s special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia on Sunday brushed off government criticisms that he has taken a biased view of the rights situation here, three days after telling the UN’s human rights council in Geneva that “core political rights … have been undermined” in the Kingdom.
On Thursday, UN rapporteur Surya Subedi criticised Cambodia’s criminalisation of defamation and said that rule of law and judicial independence remain limited, according to a UN news report summarising the human rights council proceedings.
Speaking Sunday, Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap criticised Subedi’s remarks, accusing him and other UN representatives of holding a bias against the Cambodian government.
“Based on my observations, Mr Subedi is not different from Yash Ghai,” Cheam Yeap said. Yash Ghai preceded Subedi as UN special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia before resigning in September 2008 after a notoriously stormy relationship with the government.
In an email on Sunday, Subedi rejected the claim that he had taken a one-sided approach to his position. “I am an independent, objective and impartial person, and this is reflected in my report. I have to speak my mind on the basis of information received and personal observations made,” he said.
The Nepalese law professor reiterated his confidence that he will be able to work productively with the Cambodian government. “I hope the government will continue to engage with me and other human rights agencies as the country and the government stand to benefit from such a constructive engagement,” he said.
On Thursday, UN rapporteur Surya Subedi criticised Cambodia’s criminalisation of defamation and said that rule of law and judicial independence remain limited, according to a UN news report summarising the human rights council proceedings.
Speaking Sunday, Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap criticised Subedi’s remarks, accusing him and other UN representatives of holding a bias against the Cambodian government.
“Based on my observations, Mr Subedi is not different from Yash Ghai,” Cheam Yeap said. Yash Ghai preceded Subedi as UN special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia before resigning in September 2008 after a notoriously stormy relationship with the government.
In an email on Sunday, Subedi rejected the claim that he had taken a one-sided approach to his position. “I am an independent, objective and impartial person, and this is reflected in my report. I have to speak my mind on the basis of information received and personal observations made,” he said.
The Nepalese law professor reiterated his confidence that he will be able to work productively with the Cambodian government. “I hope the government will continue to engage with me and other human rights agencies as the country and the government stand to benefit from such a constructive engagement,” he said.
Cambodia: Functioning Judiciary Required For Rights To Become A Reality
Monday, 5 October 2009
Press Release: Asian Human Rights Commission
Press Release: Asian Human Rights Commission
Cambodia: Functioning Judiciary Required For Rights To Become A Reality
Thank you Mr. President,
The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) welcomes the initial report of the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia, in particular the highlighted areas of priority for future work, namely: the freedom of expression, the independence of the judiciary, land and housing rights, impunity and prison reform.
The ALRC wishes to take this opportunity to underline the need for an end to long-standing delays by the government in implementing provisions of the 1993 Constitution of Cambodia, in particular concerning the functioning and independence of the judiciary.
The Constitution specifically stipulates that a number of laws need to be enacted, including a law on the statute of judges and prosecutors and a law on the organization of the judiciary. However, after 16 years, these laws are still missing. As a result, Cambodians are not entitled to be tried by an independent, competent and impartial tribunal, in practice. They are being tried by judges whose status has not been defined by law and by courts whose establishment has no legal basis under the Constitution.
The government has preferred to continue to apply an outdated law on the nomination of judges and the activities of courts, enacted during the country’s communist past, which is unconstitutional, does not live up to international standards and does not ensure the independence of the judiciary. This leads to corruption, favouritism for certain judges and infringements by the Ministry of Justice and the Executive on the workings of the judiciary.
In light of this, the ALRC firstly wishes to know whether the Special Rapporteur has taken up this issue with the Cambodian authorities and whether they have responded and shown any credible intent to take action to ensure the separation of powers and an independent judiciary? Has the government provided any time-frame for the enactment of the above laws, which are essential for there to be any hope of independence of the judiciary.
Finally, you have stated sensing a disconnect between national law concerning land rights and widespread land grabbing ongoing in the country. We firmly believe that without a functioning, independent judiciary there will always be a disconnect between the law and the enjoyment of rights in practice, notably concerning the mentioned issues of priority, and support your efforts in this regard, as well as the continuation of your mandate.
The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) welcomes the initial report of the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia, in particular the highlighted areas of priority for future work, namely: the freedom of expression, the independence of the judiciary, land and housing rights, impunity and prison reform.
The ALRC wishes to take this opportunity to underline the need for an end to long-standing delays by the government in implementing provisions of the 1993 Constitution of Cambodia, in particular concerning the functioning and independence of the judiciary.
The Constitution specifically stipulates that a number of laws need to be enacted, including a law on the statute of judges and prosecutors and a law on the organization of the judiciary. However, after 16 years, these laws are still missing. As a result, Cambodians are not entitled to be tried by an independent, competent and impartial tribunal, in practice. They are being tried by judges whose status has not been defined by law and by courts whose establishment has no legal basis under the Constitution.
The government has preferred to continue to apply an outdated law on the nomination of judges and the activities of courts, enacted during the country’s communist past, which is unconstitutional, does not live up to international standards and does not ensure the independence of the judiciary. This leads to corruption, favouritism for certain judges and infringements by the Ministry of Justice and the Executive on the workings of the judiciary.
In light of this, the ALRC firstly wishes to know whether the Special Rapporteur has taken up this issue with the Cambodian authorities and whether they have responded and shown any credible intent to take action to ensure the separation of powers and an independent judiciary? Has the government provided any time-frame for the enactment of the above laws, which are essential for there to be any hope of independence of the judiciary.
Finally, you have stated sensing a disconnect between national law concerning land rights and widespread land grabbing ongoing in the country. We firmly believe that without a functioning, independent judiciary there will always be a disconnect between the law and the enjoyment of rights in practice, notably concerning the mentioned issues of priority, and support your efforts in this regard, as well as the continuation of your mandate.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Weak rule of law, Judiciary not independent, Freedom of speech and assembly undermined: Surya Subedi on Hun Xen's Cambodia
Judiciary, Rights Efforts ‘Weak’: UN Rights Envoy
By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
02 October 2009
By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
02 October 2009
The Cambodian government rejected a report by the UN’s human rights envoy, who characterized the country’s judicial system and human rights efforts as “weak.”
Suriya Subedi, the UN special rapporteur for human rights, replaces Yash Ghai, who had a prickly relationship with the government and especially Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Friday Subedi “did not see the whole thing.” He added: “He listened to lazy staffs who work here, and he did not check.”
Subedi said in an October report: “The rule of law is weak in the country. The judiciary is not as independent as it should be. Some of the core political rights such as the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly have been undermined.”
Subedi said Cambodia’s defamation laws have gone beyond a permissible level in restrictions on the freedom of expression under the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Cambodia is a party.
Ny Chakriya, chief of investigation section for the rights group Adhoc, said that in light of the report the government should review its human rights situation.
“It is simple for the government to deny the UN’s report, but the most important thing is for the government to consider what [Subedi] raised in his report,” he said. “The government denial is unacceptable.”
Yim Sovann, spokesman for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, agreed with the report, saying, “many UN representatives in Cambodia are always raising the same human rights issues in Cambodia.”
Suriya Subedi, the UN special rapporteur for human rights, replaces Yash Ghai, who had a prickly relationship with the government and especially Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Friday Subedi “did not see the whole thing.” He added: “He listened to lazy staffs who work here, and he did not check.”
Subedi said in an October report: “The rule of law is weak in the country. The judiciary is not as independent as it should be. Some of the core political rights such as the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly have been undermined.”
Subedi said Cambodia’s defamation laws have gone beyond a permissible level in restrictions on the freedom of expression under the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Cambodia is a party.
Ny Chakriya, chief of investigation section for the rights group Adhoc, said that in light of the report the government should review its human rights situation.
“It is simple for the government to deny the UN’s report, but the most important thing is for the government to consider what [Subedi] raised in his report,” he said. “The government denial is unacceptable.”
Yim Sovann, spokesman for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, agreed with the report, saying, “many UN representatives in Cambodia are always raising the same human rights issues in Cambodia.”
Thursday, October 01, 2009
UN expert: Free speech deteriorating in Cambodia
2009-10-01Associated Press
A U.N. human rights expert says freedom of speech is deteriorating in Cambodia after several government critics were convicted of defamation.
Surya Subedi says the conviction of an opposition lawmaker and two journalists in recent months "is a disturbing trend."
Subedi is U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for human rights in Cambodia.
The Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council, meanwhile, will debate a U.S.-Egyptian resolution on freedom of speech Thursday.
European countries have expressed concern that the resolution appears to endorse "codes of conduct" for journalists and give religions protection from criticism.
Surya Subedi says the conviction of an opposition lawmaker and two journalists in recent months "is a disturbing trend."
Subedi is U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for human rights in Cambodia.
The Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council, meanwhile, will debate a U.S.-Egyptian resolution on freedom of speech Thursday.
European countries have expressed concern that the resolution appears to endorse "codes of conduct" for journalists and give religions protection from criticism.
Monday, June 29, 2009
New UN rapporteur concerned about land rights in Cambodia
Surya Subedi (Photo: Reuters)June 29, 2009
ABC Radio Australia
The new UN special envoy for human rights to Cambodia says a corrupt judiciary, forced evictions and land grabs are the country's most pressing issues.
Nepali-born Surya Prasad Subedi is Professor of International Law at Leeds University. Professor Subedi has just spent ten days in Cambodia.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speakers: Surya Prasad Subedi, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia
SUBEDI: The impression I have formed after meeting so many people both within the government and outside of the government, NGO people, people who have been evicted from the land, other pressure groups, I have met a broad section of the population and have come to the conclusion there are serious human rights issues here that have to be tackled and I will doing my best to help the government to tackle those problems.
LAM: Yours is a delicate job of course. You are the UN representative of UN Secretary-General, and at the same time you must work with the Cambodian Government, which in the past, hasn't taken criticism to well. Do you think that might pose a huge challenge to you?
SUBEDI: Indeed, I am aware on the rather unpleasant relationship between the government of Cambodia and my predecessor - that is always the risk for any special rapporteur, because your mission, your mandate is to promote human rights and be critical where there are shortcomings and failures. If people are willing to accept the shortcomings and engage in a constructive dialogue, then we can be effective. But I met the prime minister and a number of other senior ministers and I was pleased that they have acknowledged that there are shortcomings and they would like to engage in a constructive dialogue with me. I have noticed that there was a change in approach, a change in tone at least, during my first visit to Cambodia.
My meeting with the prime minister this time was a cordial one. It lasted for nearly two hours and I was able to raise a number of issues with him, especially relating to the rights of people evicted from land and their settlement problems and other issues relating to corruption and the independence of the judiciary, clearer separation of power between the three main branches of the government - mainly the legislative, judiciary and the executive. And he was listening to me attentively, and that gave me certain indication that perhaps they are willing to listen to me and work with me, but it remains to be seen how they will react when I go into the details.
LAM: The question of forced eviction and land grabs in Cambodia, for instance. Many of these developers have links to people in high office. Do you think that might pose a huge insurmountable challenge to getting some kind of justice for these people who were forcibly removed from the land?
SUBEDI: There are very many difficulties that lie ahead, but again my approach would be to give them concerted set of recommendations. If you were to do the following things, perhaps the situation would be better. For instance, those forcibly evicted from the land don't have a great deal of confidence in the judiciary. So if the judiciary were to strengthen, independence of the judiciary was enhanced, corruption was controlled, then people would go to court, and to get their legal remedies. For instance, those who have possession rights over the land, but not a proper title, they can go and prove their case before a court of law. That should be the way in a democracy, so that these are the areas that we can planning to pay particular attention during my work.
LAM: Well, you have just finished a ten-day tour of Cambodia. When do you intend to return to the country?
SUBEDI: Hopefully in the second half of November, and at that time I will have a special focus on certain areas, but have land rights and the resettlement issues would be on the top of my list and then make a series of recommendations to the government and to the United Nations.
LAM: What to your mind is the most pressing human rights issue in Cambodia today?
SUBEDI: The most pressing right is the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of speech. These are the two overall key issues, but within that you have the third one will be people evicted from their land and the resettlement. I have identified already these three areas as the private areas of my work.
Nepali-born Surya Prasad Subedi is Professor of International Law at Leeds University. Professor Subedi has just spent ten days in Cambodia.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speakers: Surya Prasad Subedi, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia
SUBEDI: The impression I have formed after meeting so many people both within the government and outside of the government, NGO people, people who have been evicted from the land, other pressure groups, I have met a broad section of the population and have come to the conclusion there are serious human rights issues here that have to be tackled and I will doing my best to help the government to tackle those problems.
LAM: Yours is a delicate job of course. You are the UN representative of UN Secretary-General, and at the same time you must work with the Cambodian Government, which in the past, hasn't taken criticism to well. Do you think that might pose a huge challenge to you?
SUBEDI: Indeed, I am aware on the rather unpleasant relationship between the government of Cambodia and my predecessor - that is always the risk for any special rapporteur, because your mission, your mandate is to promote human rights and be critical where there are shortcomings and failures. If people are willing to accept the shortcomings and engage in a constructive dialogue, then we can be effective. But I met the prime minister and a number of other senior ministers and I was pleased that they have acknowledged that there are shortcomings and they would like to engage in a constructive dialogue with me. I have noticed that there was a change in approach, a change in tone at least, during my first visit to Cambodia.
My meeting with the prime minister this time was a cordial one. It lasted for nearly two hours and I was able to raise a number of issues with him, especially relating to the rights of people evicted from land and their settlement problems and other issues relating to corruption and the independence of the judiciary, clearer separation of power between the three main branches of the government - mainly the legislative, judiciary and the executive. And he was listening to me attentively, and that gave me certain indication that perhaps they are willing to listen to me and work with me, but it remains to be seen how they will react when I go into the details.
LAM: The question of forced eviction and land grabs in Cambodia, for instance. Many of these developers have links to people in high office. Do you think that might pose a huge insurmountable challenge to getting some kind of justice for these people who were forcibly removed from the land?
SUBEDI: There are very many difficulties that lie ahead, but again my approach would be to give them concerted set of recommendations. If you were to do the following things, perhaps the situation would be better. For instance, those forcibly evicted from the land don't have a great deal of confidence in the judiciary. So if the judiciary were to strengthen, independence of the judiciary was enhanced, corruption was controlled, then people would go to court, and to get their legal remedies. For instance, those who have possession rights over the land, but not a proper title, they can go and prove their case before a court of law. That should be the way in a democracy, so that these are the areas that we can planning to pay particular attention during my work.
LAM: Well, you have just finished a ten-day tour of Cambodia. When do you intend to return to the country?
SUBEDI: Hopefully in the second half of November, and at that time I will have a special focus on certain areas, but have land rights and the resettlement issues would be on the top of my list and then make a series of recommendations to the government and to the United Nations.
LAM: What to your mind is the most pressing human rights issue in Cambodia today?
SUBEDI: The most pressing right is the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of speech. These are the two overall key issues, but within that you have the third one will be people evicted from their land and the resettlement. I have identified already these three areas as the private areas of my work.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Tamer
Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)New UN rights envoy to Cambodia pledges 'constructive' talks
United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Surya Subedi speaks to the media during a news conference in Phnom Penh June 25, 2009 after paying a 10-day official visit to Cambodia. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea Friday, June 26, 2009
PHNOM PENH (AFP) — The new UN special envoy for human rights to Cambodia on Thursday pledged a "constructive approach" as he replaced his predecessor, who resigned after a long war of words with the government.
Surya Subedi levelled no direct criticism of the Cambodian government's poor human rights record as he concluded his first trip to the country.
"I'm hoping to build on the work done by my predecessors," Subedi told reporters at a press conference, adding, "I have my own style, and that style will be a constructive one."
Prime Minister Hun Sen called the envoy's predecessor, Yash Ghai, rude, stupid and a "god without virtue". The Kenyan lawyer resigned in September after government officials refused to meet him.
Subedi told reporters he met Hun Sen, other government officials, opposition and civil society members during his 10-day visit to Cambodia.
On his meeting with Hun Sen, Subedi said: "What I can assure you is that there was a willingness to work with me in a constructive manner, and I was pleased with that."
The Nepalese law professor, who will issue a report on his trip to the UN's Human Rights Council, said the independence of Cambodia's judiciary and people being forcibly evicted from their homes were among his chief concerns.
Surya Subedi levelled no direct criticism of the Cambodian government's poor human rights record as he concluded his first trip to the country.
"I'm hoping to build on the work done by my predecessors," Subedi told reporters at a press conference, adding, "I have my own style, and that style will be a constructive one."
Prime Minister Hun Sen called the envoy's predecessor, Yash Ghai, rude, stupid and a "god without virtue". The Kenyan lawyer resigned in September after government officials refused to meet him.
Subedi told reporters he met Hun Sen, other government officials, opposition and civil society members during his 10-day visit to Cambodia.
On his meeting with Hun Sen, Subedi said: "What I can assure you is that there was a willingness to work with me in a constructive manner, and I was pleased with that."
The Nepalese law professor, who will issue a report on his trip to the UN's Human Rights Council, said the independence of Cambodia's judiciary and people being forcibly evicted from their homes were among his chief concerns.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
UN Envoy Questioned Over Duch Testimony
By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
19 June 2009
Original report from Washington
19 June 2009
Prime Minister Hun Sen used the first visit of a new UN human rights envoy to raise allegations from Khmer Rouge torture chief Duch that a UN rights officer offered to help him leave the country.
Duch, who is undergoing an atrocity crimes trial at the UN-backed tribunal, has said in testimony he was once approached by Christopher Peschoux to be helped out of the country. Duch said he refused to leave.
Peschoux, who was once a rights monitor in Cambodia and is now head of the country’s UN rights office, could not be reached for comment, but former colleagues say he is an expert in international law and was unlikely to have made such an offer if he knew who Duch was.
Hun Sen pressed UN special envoy for human rights to Cambodia, Surya Subedi, on the allegations, questioning whether such behavior fit the role of the head of the country’s human rights office, according to a spokesman for the premier, Eang Sophallet.
Hun Sen requested that Subedi work with Cambodia’s chief human rights official, Om Yentieng, to look into the allegations.
A former staff member for Peschoux, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Duch might have the wrong person or may be misremembering, “we do not know.”
Like other alleged war criminals, Duch would be unlikely to find refuge in another country, the former staff member said.
Duch, who is undergoing an atrocity crimes trial at the UN-backed tribunal, has said in testimony he was once approached by Christopher Peschoux to be helped out of the country. Duch said he refused to leave.
Peschoux, who was once a rights monitor in Cambodia and is now head of the country’s UN rights office, could not be reached for comment, but former colleagues say he is an expert in international law and was unlikely to have made such an offer if he knew who Duch was.
Hun Sen pressed UN special envoy for human rights to Cambodia, Surya Subedi, on the allegations, questioning whether such behavior fit the role of the head of the country’s human rights office, according to a spokesman for the premier, Eang Sophallet.
Hun Sen requested that Subedi work with Cambodia’s chief human rights official, Om Yentieng, to look into the allegations.
A former staff member for Peschoux, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Duch might have the wrong person or may be misremembering, “we do not know.”
Like other alleged war criminals, Duch would be unlikely to find refuge in another country, the former staff member said.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hanoi-educated Hun Xen warns Surya Subedi against being "ignorant" and biased
Hun Sen speaks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. (Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON)UN envoy welcomed, warned
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Written by Cheang Sokha and Georgia Wilkins
The Phnom Penh Post
PRIME Minister Hun Sen, who famously soured relations with the former UN envoy for human rights, Yash Ghai, has welcomed his successor on his first visit to the country while at the same time warning him against being "ignorant" and biased.
"We will listen to his ideas, and we hope he will listen to our ideas," Hun Sen said Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"But I think he would not be ignorant and follow an ignorant person from his team previously.... Working with this rapporteur will not be difficult, but it will be difficult to work with people in [the local UN rights office] if they still have an ignorant stance towards the government."
Surya Subedi, the new envoy, began his first visit to the Kingdom on Monday and met with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Tuesday.
Though Tuesday's meeting was labelled a "protocol" meet-and-greet by UN officials, ministry spokespeople said afterwards that the government had appealed Subedi to be "just" when assessing rights in the country.
"What the government is wanting is justice, reality and transparency,"Ouch Borith, secretary of state at the Foreign Ministry, told reporters after the meeting.
"Hor Namhong told Mr Subedi that he should meet with and collect information from all government officials, not just listen to or get reports from NGOs, civil society groups or the opposition. [He] has to get reports from all sides," he added.
Ouch Borith also said the government had made a request to Subedi to check any report before it is sent to the UN.
"[We] want to check the report for balance," he said.
Subedi's predecessor Yash Ghai resigned from the post after receiving multiple personal attacks from Hun Sen and other top government officials.
UN human rights representative Christophe Peschoux would not comment on the meeting except to say that it did not deal with "substantial" issues and was rather a greeting.
The new envoy is to meet with the prime minister on Thursday morning and has also confirmed a meeting with the head of the government's human rights committee, Om Yentieng, later that day.
"We will listen to his ideas, and we hope he will listen to our ideas," Hun Sen said Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"But I think he would not be ignorant and follow an ignorant person from his team previously.... Working with this rapporteur will not be difficult, but it will be difficult to work with people in [the local UN rights office] if they still have an ignorant stance towards the government."
Surya Subedi, the new envoy, began his first visit to the Kingdom on Monday and met with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Tuesday.
Though Tuesday's meeting was labelled a "protocol" meet-and-greet by UN officials, ministry spokespeople said afterwards that the government had appealed Subedi to be "just" when assessing rights in the country.
"What the government is wanting is justice, reality and transparency,"Ouch Borith, secretary of state at the Foreign Ministry, told reporters after the meeting.
"Hor Namhong told Mr Subedi that he should meet with and collect information from all government officials, not just listen to or get reports from NGOs, civil society groups or the opposition. [He] has to get reports from all sides," he added.
Ouch Borith also said the government had made a request to Subedi to check any report before it is sent to the UN.
"[We] want to check the report for balance," he said.
Subedi's predecessor Yash Ghai resigned from the post after receiving multiple personal attacks from Hun Sen and other top government officials.
UN human rights representative Christophe Peschoux would not comment on the meeting except to say that it did not deal with "substantial" issues and was rather a greeting.
The new envoy is to meet with the prime minister on Thursday morning and has also confirmed a meeting with the head of the government's human rights committee, Om Yentieng, later that day.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
New UN rights envoy in Cambodia
Rights groups have criticised the government over forced evictionsTuesday, 16 June 2009
By Guy DeLauney
BBC News, Phnom Penh
The new UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia, Surya Subedi, is making his first visit to the country.
Professor Subedi has said he wants to establish fruitful and constructive dialogue with the Cambodian government.
But his predecessors struggled to do that, and Prof Subedi's visit comes as civil society groups have said they are concerned about the rights situation.
The government has consistently defended its human rights record, noting recent democratic elections.
This is a chance for a fresh start in the relationship between the Cambodian government and the UN's human rights organisation.
But that may require diplomacy and patience on both sides.
UN concern
Prof Subedi's predecessor resigned last year after enduring months of snubs and insults from the government.
Ministers declined requests for meetings, and one called the envoy a long-term tourist.
The new rapporteur is keen to avoid a repeat of that situation.
He has indicated that his first visit will concentrate on establishing contacts with key officials and it seems the government has been receptive.
But Prof Subedi will also be meeting the leaders of local organisations who say they are worried about recent developments in Cambodia.
The UN's human rights office in Phnom Penh has just issued a statement expressing concern about the use of defamation and disinformation laws to silence government critics.
Other organisations have criticised land grabs and corruption.
But the government has consistently defended its human rights record, pointing to the success of several democratic elections since the return of peace in the 1990s.
Professor Subedi has said he wants to establish fruitful and constructive dialogue with the Cambodian government.
But his predecessors struggled to do that, and Prof Subedi's visit comes as civil society groups have said they are concerned about the rights situation.
The government has consistently defended its human rights record, noting recent democratic elections.
This is a chance for a fresh start in the relationship between the Cambodian government and the UN's human rights organisation.
But that may require diplomacy and patience on both sides.
UN concern
Prof Subedi's predecessor resigned last year after enduring months of snubs and insults from the government.
Ministers declined requests for meetings, and one called the envoy a long-term tourist.
The new rapporteur is keen to avoid a repeat of that situation.
He has indicated that his first visit will concentrate on establishing contacts with key officials and it seems the government has been receptive.
But Prof Subedi will also be meeting the leaders of local organisations who say they are worried about recent developments in Cambodia.
The UN's human rights office in Phnom Penh has just issued a statement expressing concern about the use of defamation and disinformation laws to silence government critics.
Other organisations have criticised land grabs and corruption.
But the government has consistently defended its human rights record, pointing to the success of several democratic elections since the return of peace in the 1990s.
CCHR Welcomes The Newly Appointed UN Special Rapporteur And Implores The Government To Engage And Comply
Cambodian Center for Human Rights
PRESS RELEASE
Phnom Penh, June 16, 2009
Phnom Penh, June 16, 2009
THE CAMBODIAN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WELCOMES THE NEWLY APPOINTED UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR AND IMPLORES THE GOVERNMENT TO ENGAGE AND COMPLY
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) would like to extend warmest welcomes to Mr. Surya Subedi, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia, upon his arrival in the Kingdom. Furthermore we would like to take this opportunity to call on the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia to engage with the new Special Rapporteur in a spirit of co-operation and respect for the human rights of the people of Cambodia.
Mr. Subedi’s predecessor, Professor Yash Ghai, recently resigned from the position citing the frequent and numerous personal attacks he was subjected to by the Government as well as the attitude of disdain with which his recommendations were generally met. During his three years as Special Rapporteur, Professor Ghai endured repeated condemnation and public humiliation from government officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen. In his 2008 written statement to the 9th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Professor Ghai recounted how the prime minister referred to him as a deranged person and an animal. Furthermore, Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith made racial attacks on Professor Ghai, who is Kenyan, calling Kenyans savages. The contempt with which Professor Ghai was treated during his three years of service to Cambodia is an embarrassment to the country, an insult to the position and the man and an affront to human rights. It is imperative that the Government abandon this approach and adopts a new strategy involving fruitful dialogue with Mr. Surya and the expeditious implementation of his recommendations.
Equally importantly, the CCHR implores Mr. Surya Subedi to be frank and forthcoming in his critique of the human rights situation in Cambodia. The Special Rapporteur is uniquely positioned to provide unbiased and thorough criticism on human rights issues in Cambodia and to make meaningful recommendations. It is the role of the Special Rapporteur to address the serious human rights concerns of the country and an overly-diplomatic approach is not appropriate for this task. Thus, a reversion to soft diplomacy out of deference to the government would be detrimental to progress in the area of human rights.
The CCHR is hopeful that the appointment of Mr. Subedi will mark the beginning of a new epoch of respect for human rights in Cambodia in which the Special Rapporteur can make candid observations and recommendations on the human rights situation in Cambodia which the Government will genuinely seek to implement.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ou Virak, President, CCHR
Tel: +855 12 404051
Email: ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org
Mr. Subedi’s predecessor, Professor Yash Ghai, recently resigned from the position citing the frequent and numerous personal attacks he was subjected to by the Government as well as the attitude of disdain with which his recommendations were generally met. During his three years as Special Rapporteur, Professor Ghai endured repeated condemnation and public humiliation from government officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen. In his 2008 written statement to the 9th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Professor Ghai recounted how the prime minister referred to him as a deranged person and an animal. Furthermore, Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith made racial attacks on Professor Ghai, who is Kenyan, calling Kenyans savages. The contempt with which Professor Ghai was treated during his three years of service to Cambodia is an embarrassment to the country, an insult to the position and the man and an affront to human rights. It is imperative that the Government abandon this approach and adopts a new strategy involving fruitful dialogue with Mr. Surya and the expeditious implementation of his recommendations.
Equally importantly, the CCHR implores Mr. Surya Subedi to be frank and forthcoming in his critique of the human rights situation in Cambodia. The Special Rapporteur is uniquely positioned to provide unbiased and thorough criticism on human rights issues in Cambodia and to make meaningful recommendations. It is the role of the Special Rapporteur to address the serious human rights concerns of the country and an overly-diplomatic approach is not appropriate for this task. Thus, a reversion to soft diplomacy out of deference to the government would be detrimental to progress in the area of human rights.
The CCHR is hopeful that the appointment of Mr. Subedi will mark the beginning of a new epoch of respect for human rights in Cambodia in which the Special Rapporteur can make candid observations and recommendations on the human rights situation in Cambodia which the Government will genuinely seek to implement.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ou Virak, President, CCHR
Tel: +855 12 404051
Email: ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I am an optimistic person: Surya P. Subedi, the appointed UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia
Wednesday 22nd Apr 2009eKantipur.com (Nepal)
Surya P. Subedi has just been appointed the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia by the Human Rights Council, a tough job by any standard. The UN and the Cambodian government have had thorny relationship on the issue of human rights. Although the mandate remains the same, the Special Representative position was changed to that of the Special Rapporteur, following the resignation of Yash Ghai last year. Ghai suffered personal attacks and even a visa ban at the hands of the Cambodian government. Subedi is a Professor of International Law at University of Leeds and a practicing Barrister in England. He was appointed an honorary OBE in 2004 by Queen Elizabeth for his services to international law and Britain-Nepal relations. Surya Subedi spoke to John Narayan Parajuli about his new role and lessons Nepal can draw from Cambodia.
Q: Why were you appointed the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia?
Subedi: I believe it was because of my standing as a truly independent, impartial, and objective academic; my expertise in international law in general and international human rights law in particular; and my familiarity with legal, political and human rights issues in Asia in general and Cambodia in particular.
I worked as a General Editor of an annual pan Asian publication -- the Asian Yearbook of International Law -- for six years. It enabled me to interact with academics and other intellectuals from many Asian countries, including Cambodia. Perhaps being a Nepali citizen helped. Nepal has no axe to grind against any nation. We Nepali people are generally liked in international circles for our friendly nature and hard working and sincere character. I believe a well-qualified, hard-working and sincere Nepali is well placed to serve in any high international positions.
Q: The UN and the Cambodian government have been at loggerheads over the issue of human rights for quite some time and that makes your job very challenging, doesn't it?
Subedi: Yes, it does make my role challenging. But again the very position of a UN Special Rapporteur is a challenging one -- to perform a difficult and at the same time a noble task. I regard this as a huge privilege and a great opportunity to make my contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. Promoting human rights and speaking for the oppressed, marginalised and disadvantaged people is always a challenge. I am committed to human rights and the rule of law nationally and internationally and I would do whatever it takes to promote and protect the rights of Cambodian people. That is my main objective. But my approach would be a constructive one -- designed to achieve results rather than unnecessarily antagonizing people.
Q: Your predecessor Yash Ghai resigned in frustration. There is a growing concern among civil society leaders in Cambodia that you might receive the same kind of hostile treatment from the government just like your predecessors.
Subedi: Let us wait and see how the people and the government of Cambodia will deal with me when I begin my task. I am by nature an optimistic person. I was encouraged by the tone and content of the speech delivered by the Cambodian ambassador to the UN after the decision by the UN Human Rights Council to appoint me to this position. His approach was a constructive one and he said his government would co-operate with me. I hope the government authorities realize that the progress, prosperity and peace in Cambodia lies in greater respect for human rights and the dignity of each and every Cambodian citizen.
Q: Does your understanding of conflict in Nepal add value to your work in Cambodia, and vice versa?
Subedi: Yes I believe that my study and analysis of the situation in Nepal for a long time as an independent and objective person will help me to understand and appreciate better the situation in Cambodia and the plight of the people there. I have been writing quite frequently and for a long time in both the Nepali and international media on the constitutional, legal and political situation in Nepal and have advanced my own views on how to make the constitutional, legal and political system in Nepal a fair, inclusive and equitable one for all. Likewise, I hope the experience that I will gain from my work in Cambodia will enable me to make a contribution to improve the human rights situation in Nepal, and to encourage political leaders to embrace democracy and democratic culture both in their words and deeds. I have said elsewhere that democracy has come to the people and the country of Nepal but not to the political leaders.
I do not think Nepalese leaders have been able to articulate any foreign policy for the country. The time to go out with a begging bowl to foreign countries should be over. It only lowers Nepal's standing internationally and exposes the naïve and shallow character of Nepal's political leaders. No foreigners will build Nepal. Foreign countries have their own agenda behind whatever assistance they may provide to Nepal. People in Nepal should start believing in themselves and put their act together to build the nation.
Q: Cambodia has had a long period of political transition with occasional setbacks between the Paris Peace Accord signed in 1991 and now, how would you describe the process, and is there a lesson Nepal can learn from it?
Subedi: The lesson Nepal can learn from the Cambodian experience is to abide by the letter and spirit of past agreements reached among the major political actors. Once people start deviating from their own commitments they lose the trust and confidence of other people. Such a breakdown in trust and confidence costs the country and the people dearly. This is what seems to be happening in Nepal. Political leaders should lead the way and set good examples at least in their public life. You are right to point out the commitments expressed in the Paris Peace Accord concerning the situation in Cambodia. But the process to implement the commitments has been frustratingly slow. That is why Cambodia finds itself in this situation. In my personal opinion, both Cambodia and Nepal should honestly honour and implement the provisions in the past agreements to move the country forward so that they can achieve higher economic growth, political stability and social harmony in order to ensure that the fruits of democracy reach to as many people as possible
Q: Is there a chance that the current transitional period in Nepal will drag that long?
Subedi: No it should not last that long in Nepal. I am hopeful that the constitution will be written and promulgated within the stipulated time frame. There is no other way out and any sensible political leader should have realised this. However, writing a new constitution is not an end itself. It is a vehicle to advance the society in a more civilised manner. For this, the political process should take the issues of impunity, transitional justice, and respect for human rights as seriously as the process of writing the new constitution. It is where people like us with independent and objective minds and no party political ties have a role to play in applying more pressure on the government and all political leaders and assist the UN agencies such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in playing a more meaningful and effective role in Nepal.
Q: What is your take on the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding the issue of army integration in Nepal?
Subedi: The issue relating to the integration of the Maoist fighters into the Nepal army is basically a political one and should be resolved on the basis of the past agreements reached. The rank and file of the foot soldiers in both camps are the sons and daughters of the same poor Nepali people. They both have same aspirations for themselves and for their country and have similar traits. It should not be a problem to bring them together. There should be a programme of training to depoliticise the mind-set of Maoist fighters fit for a professional army loyal to the nation and the people as a whole rather than to their political masters. The problem may lie in the integration into the upper levels of the military hierarchy as the people in the existing Nepal Army would like to safeguard their current position and their prospects for promotion etc. But the number at the top end of the scale is small and a political solution should and could be found to address such concerns.
Q: What are your hopes and fears for the Nepali peace process?
Subedi: I am optimistic. In terms of the political change, so much has been achieved in Nepal. Some of them have been unprecedented in the world. Now the time has come to capitalize on this political achievement and focus on the overall nation-building process in unison. The fears would of course not necessarily be the derailment of the peace process because it is not a viable option for anyone, but the lack of foresight, wisdom and vision on the party of political leaders resulting in constant bickering and squabbling.
Q: Why were you appointed the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia?
Subedi: I believe it was because of my standing as a truly independent, impartial, and objective academic; my expertise in international law in general and international human rights law in particular; and my familiarity with legal, political and human rights issues in Asia in general and Cambodia in particular.
I worked as a General Editor of an annual pan Asian publication -- the Asian Yearbook of International Law -- for six years. It enabled me to interact with academics and other intellectuals from many Asian countries, including Cambodia. Perhaps being a Nepali citizen helped. Nepal has no axe to grind against any nation. We Nepali people are generally liked in international circles for our friendly nature and hard working and sincere character. I believe a well-qualified, hard-working and sincere Nepali is well placed to serve in any high international positions.
Q: The UN and the Cambodian government have been at loggerheads over the issue of human rights for quite some time and that makes your job very challenging, doesn't it?
Subedi: Yes, it does make my role challenging. But again the very position of a UN Special Rapporteur is a challenging one -- to perform a difficult and at the same time a noble task. I regard this as a huge privilege and a great opportunity to make my contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. Promoting human rights and speaking for the oppressed, marginalised and disadvantaged people is always a challenge. I am committed to human rights and the rule of law nationally and internationally and I would do whatever it takes to promote and protect the rights of Cambodian people. That is my main objective. But my approach would be a constructive one -- designed to achieve results rather than unnecessarily antagonizing people.
Q: Your predecessor Yash Ghai resigned in frustration. There is a growing concern among civil society leaders in Cambodia that you might receive the same kind of hostile treatment from the government just like your predecessors.
Subedi: Let us wait and see how the people and the government of Cambodia will deal with me when I begin my task. I am by nature an optimistic person. I was encouraged by the tone and content of the speech delivered by the Cambodian ambassador to the UN after the decision by the UN Human Rights Council to appoint me to this position. His approach was a constructive one and he said his government would co-operate with me. I hope the government authorities realize that the progress, prosperity and peace in Cambodia lies in greater respect for human rights and the dignity of each and every Cambodian citizen.
Q: Does your understanding of conflict in Nepal add value to your work in Cambodia, and vice versa?
Subedi: Yes I believe that my study and analysis of the situation in Nepal for a long time as an independent and objective person will help me to understand and appreciate better the situation in Cambodia and the plight of the people there. I have been writing quite frequently and for a long time in both the Nepali and international media on the constitutional, legal and political situation in Nepal and have advanced my own views on how to make the constitutional, legal and political system in Nepal a fair, inclusive and equitable one for all. Likewise, I hope the experience that I will gain from my work in Cambodia will enable me to make a contribution to improve the human rights situation in Nepal, and to encourage political leaders to embrace democracy and democratic culture both in their words and deeds. I have said elsewhere that democracy has come to the people and the country of Nepal but not to the political leaders.
I do not think Nepalese leaders have been able to articulate any foreign policy for the country. The time to go out with a begging bowl to foreign countries should be over. It only lowers Nepal's standing internationally and exposes the naïve and shallow character of Nepal's political leaders. No foreigners will build Nepal. Foreign countries have their own agenda behind whatever assistance they may provide to Nepal. People in Nepal should start believing in themselves and put their act together to build the nation.
Q: Cambodia has had a long period of political transition with occasional setbacks between the Paris Peace Accord signed in 1991 and now, how would you describe the process, and is there a lesson Nepal can learn from it?
Subedi: The lesson Nepal can learn from the Cambodian experience is to abide by the letter and spirit of past agreements reached among the major political actors. Once people start deviating from their own commitments they lose the trust and confidence of other people. Such a breakdown in trust and confidence costs the country and the people dearly. This is what seems to be happening in Nepal. Political leaders should lead the way and set good examples at least in their public life. You are right to point out the commitments expressed in the Paris Peace Accord concerning the situation in Cambodia. But the process to implement the commitments has been frustratingly slow. That is why Cambodia finds itself in this situation. In my personal opinion, both Cambodia and Nepal should honestly honour and implement the provisions in the past agreements to move the country forward so that they can achieve higher economic growth, political stability and social harmony in order to ensure that the fruits of democracy reach to as many people as possible
Q: Is there a chance that the current transitional period in Nepal will drag that long?
Subedi: No it should not last that long in Nepal. I am hopeful that the constitution will be written and promulgated within the stipulated time frame. There is no other way out and any sensible political leader should have realised this. However, writing a new constitution is not an end itself. It is a vehicle to advance the society in a more civilised manner. For this, the political process should take the issues of impunity, transitional justice, and respect for human rights as seriously as the process of writing the new constitution. It is where people like us with independent and objective minds and no party political ties have a role to play in applying more pressure on the government and all political leaders and assist the UN agencies such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in playing a more meaningful and effective role in Nepal.
Q: What is your take on the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding the issue of army integration in Nepal?
Subedi: The issue relating to the integration of the Maoist fighters into the Nepal army is basically a political one and should be resolved on the basis of the past agreements reached. The rank and file of the foot soldiers in both camps are the sons and daughters of the same poor Nepali people. They both have same aspirations for themselves and for their country and have similar traits. It should not be a problem to bring them together. There should be a programme of training to depoliticise the mind-set of Maoist fighters fit for a professional army loyal to the nation and the people as a whole rather than to their political masters. The problem may lie in the integration into the upper levels of the military hierarchy as the people in the existing Nepal Army would like to safeguard their current position and their prospects for promotion etc. But the number at the top end of the scale is small and a political solution should and could be found to address such concerns.
Q: What are your hopes and fears for the Nepali peace process?
Subedi: I am optimistic. In terms of the political change, so much has been achieved in Nepal. Some of them have been unprecedented in the world. Now the time has come to capitalize on this political achievement and focus on the overall nation-building process in unison. The fears would of course not necessarily be the derailment of the peace process because it is not a viable option for anyone, but the lack of foresight, wisdom and vision on the party of political leaders resulting in constant bickering and squabbling.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Nepalese professor appointed as Human Rights envoy for Cambodia
Mar 26 09
nepalnews.com
nepalnews.com
The UN Human Rights Council has appointed Prof Surya Prasad Subedi as the next UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia. The Council voted unanimously to endorse the nomination made by the President of the HRC to appoint Prof Subedi at its meeting in Geneva on March 25.
Speaking at the meeting of the Council in Geneva after the Council decision to appoint Prof Subedi, the Cambodian ambassador to the UN welcomed the appointment and expressed the willingness of his government to cooperate with him in discharging his responsibilities as an independent human rights law expert.
Dr Subedi is Professor of International and Human Rights Law at the University of Leeds in England. He also is a Barrister in England, an Advocate in Nepal, and holds a doctoral degree in international law from the University of Oxford, a Master of Laws degree with Distinction from the University of Hull in England and an LLB from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
Commenting on his appointment, Prof Subedi said, “I am delighted and honoured by the trust and confidence placed in me by such a high level UN body in recognition of my work in the field of international and human rights law.”
Since this is a non-residential appointment, Prof Subedi would be working for the UN from his university in England and visiting Cambodia to monitor the human rights situation there and reporting to the UN Human Rights Council.
Speaking at the meeting of the Council in Geneva after the Council decision to appoint Prof Subedi, the Cambodian ambassador to the UN welcomed the appointment and expressed the willingness of his government to cooperate with him in discharging his responsibilities as an independent human rights law expert.
Dr Subedi is Professor of International and Human Rights Law at the University of Leeds in England. He also is a Barrister in England, an Advocate in Nepal, and holds a doctoral degree in international law from the University of Oxford, a Master of Laws degree with Distinction from the University of Hull in England and an LLB from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
Commenting on his appointment, Prof Subedi said, “I am delighted and honoured by the trust and confidence placed in me by such a high level UN body in recognition of my work in the field of international and human rights law.”
Since this is a non-residential appointment, Prof Subedi would be working for the UN from his university in England and visiting Cambodia to monitor the human rights situation there and reporting to the UN Human Rights Council.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
