Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia

51st session of the Human Rights Council; Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. Nordic-Baltic Statement, delivered by Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi, Permanent Representative of Finland, 5 October 2022.

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries – Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country Finland.

We thank the Special Rapporteur Dr. Muntarbhorn for his second report and welcome Cambodia’s cooperation with Special Procedures.

We welcome also the efforts of Cambodia in strengthening the social protection system while combatting Covid-19, and in upholding an advanced positioning towards LGBTQI rights.

In spite of achieved progress, we are deeply concerned about repressions regarding civil and political rights as well as the further shrinking civic space. We are disturbed by the systematic detentions, intimidation, harassment and politically motivated trials of members of political opposition, journalists and media workers, human rights defenders and other civil society actors. Independent and impartial judiciary must be ensured.

We urge Cambodia to fully implement the recommendations as well as other benchmarks the Special Rapporteur has identified in his report and which are also supported by the Treaty Bodies. Respect to political and civil rights as well as social and economic rights is essential for a functioning society. It is crucial to form an enabling environment for all actors to ensure free and fair national elections in 2023.

Mr. Special Rapporteur, how can we collaborate with Cambodia best to strengthen its implementation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all? 

Thank you.