WFP/David Longstreath Civilians on the streets of Ang Tasom, Cambodia. (file)
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The Cambodian Government must work in tandem with civil society groups and build its policies around citizens’ human rights, if the country is to see durable peace and sustainable development, a UN expert urged on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference concluding an 11-day visit to Cambodia, Rhona Smith, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in the country, said “good governance requires strong and open institutions that function according to human rights principles.”
“That means access to information, transparency, public participation in decision-making, the accountability of office-bearers and civil servants and access to justice, supported by a free press and vibrant, free and innovative civil society.”
She noted the relevance of SDG16, the UN Sustainable Development Goal focused on inclusive institutions, transparency and access to justice, explaining that it “provides a vehicle” to weave human rights into the country’s development strategy framework.
Following a widely-criticized general election in July, which many press reports said was marred by the banning of opposition, allegations of corruption and illegitimacy, Ms. Smith stressed the need for greater public participation in legal and policy decisions.
The country’s lack of speedy trials, and lengthy pretrial detentions were also a matter of concern for the expert, as she called for the release of Kem Sokha, leader of the recently-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, who spent a year in pre-trial detention before being freed on bail in September of this year, facing charges of suspected treason.
“I call on the Ministry of Justice and judicial institutions to be more transparent in relation to their operations, to take more steps to combat corruption and to strengthen judicial independence and impartiality,” Ms. Smith said.
She also called for transparency regarding land rights. After visiting Kampon Chhnang province, where villagers are being transferred from sub-standard living conditions to permanent land sites, she said she had seen progress, but pressed the Government “to improve the ways in which it addresses the complex issues of land rights, through more transparency, fairness and by ensuring a holistic approach.”
Underscoring the role of human rights as central in achieving sustainable development, Ms. Smith said that “if Cambodia is to continue its path of sustainable economic growth, it needs Government that reflects the will of the people, institutions that respond to people’s rights, and people with the necessary skills, voice and access to services to participate actively in development and society. “
“The Constitution, human rights standards and SDGs provide the means to do so”, she added.
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Investors have to read Khmer history – when assessing the supply chain and political risk in Cambodia.
Ultimately,Cambodia will become a SAR of the PRC. dindooohindoo
The Khmer nation was pillaged by looted,by the Thai and Vietnamese Kings. Large tracts of land and treasures, of the Khmer, are with the Thais and Viets.
This is the history of the Khmer,after the 1st invasion of Thais 1000 years ago.Thereafter came the French and Pol Pot and the US-Viet war.
Today the nation and economy and real estate of the Khmer,is owned by the Chinese,Viets and Thais – who hold KHMER PASSPORTS.
The Viets have taken over Khmer land and timber ( as a compensation for the war on the Khmer Rouge), There are millions of Viets settled in Khmer land – as traders – and not manufacturers or industrialists. They are also the hidden voters of Hun Sen and the eyes and ears of Viet Intelligence in Khmer land.
Hoon Sen has not raised the issue of the millions of Viet, in Khmer land – as they vote for him ! And Hoon Sen has not raised Khmer Krom with the Viet govtt, ever – not the land seized by the Viets !
Y ? Hoon Sen is a Viet spy and stooge.The Viet intel have dirt on Hoon Sen – w.r.t his work with Pol Pot and his collaboration with Viet Intel – when he was with the Khmer Rouge – and his extra-marital affairs, rapes,murders and mistresses.
The Viet contribution to the nation of the Khmer is Nil and if the Khmer cannot do, what the Viets do – then the Khmer do not deserve a nation.Even the Rubber and timber goes back to Vietnam for processing.
The Thais are on the Thai-Khmer border with rice mills and other industries,which run on the concessional power sold by the Thai Grid.Inspite of that,the marginal Thai Population is settled only near the border areas
The Chinese have built the infra,ports,SEZ,roads and whatever little industry exists in Khmer land.Like in Thailand – the Han Chinese control the trade, commerce, manufacturing etc.Even in so called Muslim nations like Indon-ass-eeah, all that works, from Railways to bureaucracy is due to the Han Chinese
In essence, THE KHMER ARE SLAVES TO THE VIETS,THAI AND CHINESE.
Once Hun Sen dies,the Viets,Thai and Chinese will try to instal the son of Hun Sen – and if the Khmer people revolt (courtesy the CIA etc.),they will target the Viets in Cambodia,There are millions of Viets in Cambodia
That is Civil war – it is an inevitable,as is the death of Hun Sen.