UN human rights expert to visit Cambodia from 5-14 March

GENEVA/PHNOM PENH (1 March 2018) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, Rhona Smith, will visit the country from 5 to 14 March 2018, at the invitation of the Royal Government.

During her 10-day visit, the expert plans to meet senior officials, representatives of civil society and members of the diplomatic community. 

The UN Special Rapporteur undertakes regular official missions to Cambodia and reports annually to the Human Rights Council, which appointed her in March 2015.  She will present her next report to the Council in September 2018.

The expert will conclude her visit with a press conference to discuss the preliminary findings of her visit on Wednesday 14 March at 15:00 local time at the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), No. 4, Street 271, Sangkat Phsar Daem Thkov, Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.

ENDS

Professor Rhona Smith (United Kingdom) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015.

Special Rapporteurs, they are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.

Check the Special Rapporteur’s reports on Cambodia.

UN Human Rights, country page: Cambodia

For more information and media requests, please contact:
Mahmoud Garga  (+ 855 (0)12 790 178 / mgarga@ohchr.org )
Esther Lam (+41 79 444 3940 / elam@ohchr.org)

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact
Jeremy Laurence, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)

This year, 2018, is the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN on 10 December 1948. The Universal Declaration – translated into a world record 500 languages – is rooted in the principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” It remains relevant to everyone, every day. In honour of the 70th anniversary of this extraordinarily influential document, and to prevent its vital principles from being eroded, we are urging people everywhere to Stand Up for Human Rights: www.standup4humanrights.org.