A Change of Guard

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Friday 13 March 2015

CCHR Press Release - CCHR calls on the government to uphold civil and political rights ahead of Cambodia’s second review by the UN Human Rights Committee

CCHR PRESS RELEASE - Phnom Penh, 11 March 2015
CCHR calls on the government to uphold civil and political rights ahead of Cambodia’s second review by the UN Human Rights Committee

Ahead of the second review of Cambodia before the UN Human Rights Committee (“HRC”) on 17 and 18 March in Geneva, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”) calls on the Royal Government of Cambodia (“RGC”) to take genuine steps to uphold civil and political rights as enshrined in the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“ICCPR”), which Cambodia acceded to 1992.
During the review, the HRC will examine Cambodia’s efforts to meet its international legal obligations under the ICCPR since its first review in 1999. Despite some positive developments, such as increased civil society space for participation in online and offline public debate and steps taken to introduce access to information legislation, major challenges remain that require concrete efforts by the RGC to address.
Serious human rights violations, including excessive use of force by the security forces leading to the deaths of demonstrators and bystanders in 2013 and 2014, have been met with impunity. Fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression and assembly, continue to be subjected to undue restrictions, and human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents and trade union activists are regularly harassed and prevented from carrying out their essential role in strengthening democracy in the country.
Repeatedly, politically motivated cases are brought before the courts, while fair trial rights, including those of juveniles, are denied and provisional detention abused. Most recently, while steps towards electoral reform have been a positive development, the finalization of draft electoral reform laws without meaningful public consultations demonstrates a lack of transparency and openness in the legislative process that undermines the spirit of the reform. The draft laws would unduly restrict the activity of civil society organizations during election periods in contravention of provisions of the ICCPR.

In partnership with the World Organization Against Torture (“OMCT”), CCHR has submitted an alternative report to the HRC, highlighting these and a range of other key issues and making practical recommendations to the RGC. Key recommendations include ensuring the effective investigation and prosecution of perpetrators and providing appropriate remedy to victims, taking steps to strengthen judicial independence, and establishing a genuinely independent national human rights institution to monitor the effective implementation of international human rights standards at the national level.
CCHR also urges the government to engage in an open dialogue with the HRC and local and international civil society organizations participating in the review.
CCHR Executive Director Sopheap Chak comments:
“So far the RGC has taken little action to implement its international obligations. Agreeing to be bound by international treaties and incorporating them into domestic law is an important first step, but that has to be followed by concrete measures to address real problems, and ensure that civil and political rights are fully upheld. We hope that the RGC will use this opportunity to re-affirm its commitment to overcome the many serious challenges that still impede Cambodia’s development as a real democracy.”
For more information, please contact Sopheap Chak, CCHR Executive Director, via telephone at +855 (0) 11 943 213 or email at chaksopheap@cchrcambodia.org, or Chor Chanthyda, CCHR Senior Researcher, via telephone at +855 (0) 12 51 55 06 or e-mail at thyda@cchrcambodia.org.

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