On 27th June 2018, Human Rights Now gave an oral statement on the Human Rights Situation in Cambodia at the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The video and transcript of the statement are available below.
The full text of the statement can be downloaded here.
Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.
Human Rights Now is gravely concerned about the government of Cambodia’s assault on political opposition and media, making a free and fair election impossible.
The government has dissolved the main opposition party, barred its members from political activity, shut down and interfered with independent media, suspended and dissolved NGOs, and harassed journalists, political opposition, and human rights defenders.
Since the last Council session, the government has further adopted a lèse majesté crime, amended its constitution to restrict freedom of expression and association, controlled internet content, and continued its harassment. It has also threatened to punish election boycotters, with officials claiming falsely that a boycott is illegal.
Mr. Vice-President,
The Cambodian government’s assault against political opposition, media, and civil society ensures its election cannot be free and fair, violates Cambodia’s international human rights duties, and cripples the Paris Peace Agreements.
We call on the Cambodian government to immediately release detained political opposition, reinstate the CNRP, media, and civil society organizations, repeal laws restricting human rights, and end its harassment of political opposition and media. We request the Council and relevant governments to take strong measures to ensure Cambodia provides the conditions necessary for a free and fair election.
Thank you.