UN Human Rights Envoy Meets Cambodian Interior Minister on Freedom of Expression, Democratic Space

Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha on the morning of July 29, 2024, during his official visit to the country. The situation of human rights, freedom of expression, and democratic space in Cambodia were the key topics discussed. At the beginning of the meeting, both parties pledged sincere mutual cooperation to further enhance the promotion of human rights in Cambodia, based on Cambodian legal principles and universal United Nations principles. Minister Sar Sokha affirmed the Cambodian government's commitment to respecting and promoting human rights, freedom of expression, and democratic space in line with the national constitution and universal principles on human rights. He also emphasized that the Ministry of Interior is always ready to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur's mission in Cambodia. According to the Ministry of Interior, both sides also discussed the management of detainees and the situation in educational and correctional centers within Cambodia. Thomas Andrews raised some information gathered regarding the Ministry of Interior's authorities and praised their courage and facilitation in allowing him to conduct open visits to prisons and correctional centers. It is noteworthy that Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, is on an official visit to Cambodia from July 20 to July 31, 2024, and will conclude his visit with a press conference. His mandate follows that of Vitit Muntarbhorn, the former Special Rapporteur from Thailand, who resigned after the Thai military's invasion of Cambodia. This visit aims to assess the human rights situation in Cambodia, including issues related to human trafficking, border disputes, freedom of expression, and freedom of association. The Special Rapporteur has met with top leaders, government officials, local authorities, civil society representatives, victims, and other stakeholders, as well as visited border areas, specifically to directly inspect the situation of violations by the Thai military on Cambodian territory. In his meeting with Sar Sokha, Thomas Andrews expressed his gratitude for Cambodia's facilitation, including that of the Ministry of Interior, for the smooth and safe conduct of his mission to meet with various actors and at key locations.