Non-Government Groups Take Stock of the Country’s Rights Records

The government’s abuse of land rights and indigenous minorities were among the top concerns raised Tuesday by non-governmental groups at a workshop in Phnom Penh on Cambodia’s progress toward achieving a long list of U.N. human rights recommendations. As part of the U.N. Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review process for all member states, Cambodia accepted all 91 recommendations the U.N. made in 2009. Covering everything from children to land, the recommendations hue toward the very vague. They urge the government to “tackle the roots” of gender inequality, for example, and “ensure” that trade unions get to operate freely. … Ven Samin, an ethnic Souy from Konpong Speu province, wanted the recommendations to call for the protection of minorities. “I want them to take account our problems,” said Ms. Samin, who accused the nationwide land-titling project being led by Prime Minister Hun Sen of pressuring her to give up much of her ancestral rights. Kha Sros, an ethnic Kuoy from Stung Treng province, accused the government of largely ignoring the interests of the minorities. When it comes to development, they [authorities] don’t let the indigenous give their ideas. …

http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/non-government-groups-take-stock-of-countrys-rights-record-21113/