In the Afternoon of 25 August 2022, His Excellency Dr. CHEM Widhya, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, on behalf of H.E. Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, held a meeting with Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia at the Ministry.
His Excellency Dr. CHEM Widhya briefed that Cambodia has gone through a rocky path in our struggle for independence, peace-building and nation-building, opting for a foreign policy of neutrality since 1955 and again since 1993 to protect peace and enable socio-economic development and secure prosperity,and has come a long way in its journey with painful and traumatized experiences in wars and conflicts. The Cambodian people are deeply aware of the values of peace, national reconciliation and political stability.
On that occasion, whilst both sides exchanged views on the critical importance of the Cambodia as the Chairmanship of ASEAN 2022. His Excellency Secretary of State reaffirmed that Cambodia has taken over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022 amidst unprecedented challenges. Cambodia successfully hosted the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ and related Meetings in Phnom Penh with the strong support given by ASEAN Member States and our External Partners. H.E. Dr. CHEM Widhya also explained the reasons behind the decision of the Kingdom of Cambodia to enter into ASEAN, believing in the values of peace, neutrality, peaceful coexistence and other principles enshrined in the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
In response, Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn congratulated Cambodia for successfully chairing and leading ASEAN in the most challenging circumstances coming out with the Joint Communiqué and other important outcome documents.
Regarding the civic space and democratic space, H.E. Secretary of State stressed that pluralistic political system, human rights and democracy are at centre of the Nation’s Constitution, and the people of Cambodia now live in peace, harmony and have fully exercised their political and civil rights. Human rights and democracy have rather been judged with different yardsticks by third parties , viewed as "double or even triple standards". Regular elections are testimony of the democratic nature of the Cambodian political system.
Regarding the elections, His Excellency Secretary of State highlighted that Cambodia has held regular elections since 1993. So far, Cambodia has held six general elections and five communal elections, which have been certified by national and international observers as transparent, free, fair, in a just manner and without coercions.
In Southeast Asia, Cambodia has been the only country that has acceded to eight out of nine Human Right Conventions clearly reflecting its respect of human rights and democracy. Cambodia has had the richest history of working together and cooperating with the United Nations. As a small country, Cambodia strictly adheres to the UN Charter and international law, upholding that right is might and not might is right.
On behalf of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn expressed his sincere thanks and appreciations for the physical meetings, constructive and fruitful dialogue with Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, with H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a video call last year, and other Cambodian dignitaries and stakeholders of the Royal Government of Cambodia, during his 11-days visit in Cambodia in the fulfilment of his mandate.
He reassured that OHCHR continued support and provide the technical assistance and cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in Cambodia and reaffirmed Cambodia’s cooperation in working closely with the Special Rapporteur, the UN systems, the ASEAN Member States, partners in country and in the region toward achieving the noble goal in the areas of human rights and democracy for our people, and the ASEAN communities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Excellency Dr. CHEM Widhya has expressed the goodwill of the Royal Government of Cambodia to work closely with ASEAN and the United Nations, including within the framework of UNPKO, to uphold the ASEAN Charter, the UN Charter and international law.
