Cambodia Agrees to Constructive Cooperation with UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur

Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia met with Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia, on July 30 at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. Both sides agreed to advance constructive cooperation on human rights. Mr. Andrews expressed his deep gratitude to the Cambodian government and relevant ministries for their open and understanding cooperation. He informed the Prime Minister that during his mission, he had held discussions with senior officials, representatives of ministries and institutions, and civil society organizations. He also visited refugee camps due to the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict. Mr. Andrews highly commended the Cambodian government's attention to rescuing and supporting refugees affected by the border conflict who have not yet been able to return to their homes. He also noted that Cambodia has accepted 8 out of 9 human rights-related international instruments and affirmed his commitment and readiness to cooperate with Cambodia in a constructive spirit, based on national and international law. In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet congratulated Mr. Andrews on his appointment and emphasized that the Cambodian government truly needs a cooperative partner in a constructive and equitable spirit. The Prime Minister highlighted the government's focus on promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms based on national law and various international instruments, particularly the promotion of the right to access healthcare and education. Concurrently, the Prime Minister stressed that the exercise of rights and freedoms must be carried out responsibly and within the limits of the law. He further stated that regardless of a country's size, the implementation of law and the promotion of human rights fall under the law, and each country has its own unique characteristics. He encouraged the Special Rapporteur to continue working closely with relevant ministries and institutions and to base his reports on comprehensive information from all relevant parties, thereby contributing to further improvement in the implementation and promotion of human rights in Cambodia. Before concluding, the Prime Minister briefed Mr. Andrews on the developments of the Cambodia-T