Cambodia Agrees on Constructive Cooperation with Human Rights Special Rapporteur

On the morning of July 30, 2024, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, granted an audience to Mr. Thomas Andrews, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, for a courtesy call and working discussion at the Peace Palace. During the meeting, Mr. Thomas Andrews expressed his profound gratitude to the Royal Government and relevant ministries and institutions for their open and understanding cooperation. Mr. Thomas Andrews informed Samdech Thipadei that during his mission, he had held working discussions with high-level officials, representatives of ministries and institutions, and civil society organizations. He also visited a refugee camp due to the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict. Mr. Thomas Andrews highly appreciated the Royal Government's keen attention to rescuing and supporting refugees displaced by the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict who have not yet been able to return to their homes. Furthermore, he commended Cambodia for accepting 8 out of 9 human rights-related instruments and affirmed his commitment and readiness to cooperate with Cambodia in a constructive spirit, based on national and international laws. In response, Samdech Thipadei congratulated Mr. Thomas Andrews on his appointment as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia and emphasized that the Royal Government of Cambodia truly needs partners for constructive and equitable cooperation. Samdech Thipadei highlighted the Royal Government's attention to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms based on national law and various international instruments, particularly the enhancement of the right to access healthcare and education. Concurrently, Samdech Thipadei stressed that the exercise of rights and freedoms must be conducted responsibly and within the limits of the law. Samdech Thipadei further stated that regardless of whether a country is small or large, the enforcement of law and the promotion of human rights must be under the law, and each country has its own unique characteristics. In this regard, Samdech Thipadei encouraged the Special Rapporteur to continue working closely with relevant ministries and institutions and urged him to base his reporting on comprehensive information from all relevant parties, thereby contributing to the better implementation and promotion of human rights in Cambodia. Before concluding, Samdech Thipadei also briefed Mr. Thomas Andrews on the developments of the Cambodia-Thailand border situation and reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment and stance to resolve this border issue peacefully, based on international law and in accordance with existing conventions, treaties, and agreements between Cambodia and Thailand.