Human rights: UN Special Rapporteur returns to Cambodia

GENEVA (9 February 2011) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Surya Prasad Subedi, will carry out his fourth official visit to the country from 15-24 February 2011.

“The aim of this mission is to follow up on my recommendations on the functioning of the judiciary*; evaluate progress made on the decriminalization of defamation and the establishment of a permanent mechanism of dialogue between the Government and civil society; and study the work of the parliament in the context of my ongoing assessment of institutions critical to the promotion and protection of human rights,” Mr. Subedi said.

During his visit, the independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to assess and report on the human rights situation in Cambodia will also engage in discussions on the draft law on Associations and Non-Government Institutions, and on land disputes and evictions.

While in Cambodia, Mr. Subedi will meet with government authorities, parliamentarians, a broad segment of civil society, representatives of UN agencies, donors and the diplomatic corps.

The Special Rapporteur works with the Government, civil society and others to foster international cooperation in the field of human rights. He undertakes regular visits or missions to Cambodia and reports annually to the Human Rights Council. OHCHR provides him with logistical and technical assistance.

The observations from this mission will inform the Special Rapporteur’s next report to the Human Rights Council later this year.

Professor Surya Subedi was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia in March 2009. He is currently Professor of International Law at the University of Leeds in England.

(*): The Special Rapporteur’s recommendations: http://cambodia.ohchr.org/EN/PagesFiles/Reports/SR-SRSG-Reports.htm

For more information about the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, log on to: http://cambodia.ohchr.org/EN/PagesFiles/SpecialRapporteurIndex.htm

OHCHR Country page – Cambodia: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/KHIndex.aspx

For further information and media enquiries, please contact:
In Phnom Penh: Ms. Zoe Latumbo (Tel: +855 12 790 178/ email: zlatumbo@ohchr.org) or Mr. Huan Touch (Tel: +855 12 476 493/ Email: htouch@ohchr.org)
In Geneva: Ms. Maureen Teo (Tel: + 41 22 928 9632 / email: mteo@ohchr.org).