Cambodia Senate President Meets UN Special Rapporteur, Expresses Hope for Democracy and Human Rights Advancement

Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen met with UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Thomas Andrews, expressing his hope that Andrews will work closely with the Cambodian government to further advance democracy and human rights in the country. The meeting, held on Wednesday, July 22, saw Hun Sen congratulate Andrews on his appointment as the UN Special Rapporteur, succeeding Vitit Muntarbhorn, and expressed hope that this engagement would deepen Andrews' understanding of Cambodia's human rights situation and democratization process. Andrews expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with Hun Sen, noting that he did not have the chance to meet with top leaders during his tenure as Special Rapporteur for Myanmar. He also highlighted his interest in Hun Sen's past appeal as Prime Minister for clemency for death row inmates in Myanmar. Furthermore, Andrews commended Cambodia as one of the leading countries in the region in ratifying international human rights treaties. However, Andrews also raised several concerns regarding the human rights situation, particularly concerning freedom of expression. In response, Hun Sen emphasized that the right to life must be prioritized when discussing human rights, stating that freedom of expression is only possible with peace and stability. He asserted that the current government, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, similar to his own tenure, fully guarantees the freedom of expression for citizens, but within the legal framework, including the Constitution. He clarified that constructive criticism is welcome, but actions contradicting the Constitution are not considered freedom of expression. Hun Sen added that no country in the world perfectly implements democracy or human rights, and there are always areas for improvement. He expressed his hope that Andrews will collaborate with the Cambodian government to further promote progress in human rights and democracy. Source: CPP Cambodia