UN Concerned Over Suppression of Rights
The U.N.’s General Assembly released its latest round of recommendations to improve the human rights situation in Cambodia on Thursday following a review held last week in Geneva. The statements made by delegations from 76 countries during the review urged Cambodia to fulfill its promise to establish an independent human rights body, implement reforms to create an independent judiciary, undertake sweeping electoral reforms, and improve protection of women and children. A number of countries also counseled the government to restore the constitutional freedoms of assembly, association and expression following a violent suppression of demonstrations and dissent last month in which five protesters were killed, 23 imprisoned and dozens more injured. … Maina Kiai, the U.N.’s special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, announced on Friday that he would visit Cambodia from February 5 to 7. … Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said Sunday that the Ministry of Interior is monitoring the political situation, and would continue to selectively decide which groups are allowed to assemble and demonstrate. … Kheng Tito, spokesman for the military police, said in January that the freedom to demonstrate would not be restored until the elected opposition lawmakers end their boycott of the National Assembly by taking their 55 seats in parliament. …
Colin Meyn
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/un-concerned-over-suppression-of-rights-51220/
