Prof. Subedi (middle) shook hand with Mr. Hun Sen during his visit to Cambodia in January, 2010.By Khmerization
Source: RFA
A senior government official said that Prof. Surya Subedi, UN Rapporteur on Human Rights to Cambodia, has sent a letter of apology to Prime Minister Hun Sen for expressing his "disappointment" when Mr. Hun Sen cancelled a scheduled meeting with him allegedly due to illness, reports Radio Free Asia.
Prof. Subedi was due to meet with Mr. Hun Sen during his visit to the kingdom from 8-18 June to assess and evaluate human rights situations and justice system in Cambodia.
Just before the meeting, there were land rights protests in front of Mr. Hun Sen's house and many of the protesters as well as prisoners and NGOs had sent petitions and letters to Prof Subedi to hand to Mr. Hun Sen during the meeting. Mr. Hun Sen then abruptly cancelled the meeting, claiming illness. Prof. Subedi, during a press conference to report about his visit to the kingdom, called the cancellation "a disappoinment" which angered Mr. Hun Sen who publicly berated the rapporteur a few days later.
Mr. Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said on Sunday 27th June that Prof. Subedi has sent a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen apologising over the matter. "First, he (Subedi) apololised to Samdech (Hun Sen). Secondly, he wished Samdech a quick recovery, good health and longevity. And thirdly, he talked about the positive outcomes of his visit to Cambodia", Mr. Kuong said of the letter.
"It is a good and positive sign that Prof. Subedi responded with an apology and acknowledging about Samdech's illness", he added.
On 21st June, Mr. Hun Sen publicly blasted Prof. Subedi, calling his remarks "disrespect" and "insulting" to him and the Cambodian people. "He called a press conference and he used the word 'disappointment'. I think that the word 'disappointment' is a disrespect to the host. I hope he will correct his word. Not only that he was not concerned about my health, but truly he can use other word such as 'regret for not meeting the prime minister and next time hope to the meet the prime minister'", he said.
Dr. Pung Chiv Kek, director of human rights group Licadho, said Prof. Subedi's apology to Mr. Hun Sen did not show his weakness, but rather it shows his politeness and his thoughtfulness. However, she said the word "disappointment" is a simple word and is not an insult to the government. "Prof. Subedi wanted to use diplomatic path, wanted to use dialogue and he hopes to meet Cambodian leaders whenever he visit Cambodia in the future", she said.
Source: RFA
A senior government official said that Prof. Surya Subedi, UN Rapporteur on Human Rights to Cambodia, has sent a letter of apology to Prime Minister Hun Sen for expressing his "disappointment" when Mr. Hun Sen cancelled a scheduled meeting with him allegedly due to illness, reports Radio Free Asia.
Prof. Subedi was due to meet with Mr. Hun Sen during his visit to the kingdom from 8-18 June to assess and evaluate human rights situations and justice system in Cambodia.
Just before the meeting, there were land rights protests in front of Mr. Hun Sen's house and many of the protesters as well as prisoners and NGOs had sent petitions and letters to Prof Subedi to hand to Mr. Hun Sen during the meeting. Mr. Hun Sen then abruptly cancelled the meeting, claiming illness. Prof. Subedi, during a press conference to report about his visit to the kingdom, called the cancellation "a disappoinment" which angered Mr. Hun Sen who publicly berated the rapporteur a few days later.
Mr. Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said on Sunday 27th June that Prof. Subedi has sent a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen apologising over the matter. "First, he (Subedi) apololised to Samdech (Hun Sen). Secondly, he wished Samdech a quick recovery, good health and longevity. And thirdly, he talked about the positive outcomes of his visit to Cambodia", Mr. Kuong said of the letter.
"It is a good and positive sign that Prof. Subedi responded with an apology and acknowledging about Samdech's illness", he added.
On 21st June, Mr. Hun Sen publicly blasted Prof. Subedi, calling his remarks "disrespect" and "insulting" to him and the Cambodian people. "He called a press conference and he used the word 'disappointment'. I think that the word 'disappointment' is a disrespect to the host. I hope he will correct his word. Not only that he was not concerned about my health, but truly he can use other word such as 'regret for not meeting the prime minister and next time hope to the meet the prime minister'", he said.
Dr. Pung Chiv Kek, director of human rights group Licadho, said Prof. Subedi's apology to Mr. Hun Sen did not show his weakness, but rather it shows his politeness and his thoughtfulness. However, she said the word "disappointment" is a simple word and is not an insult to the government. "Prof. Subedi wanted to use diplomatic path, wanted to use dialogue and he hopes to meet Cambodian leaders whenever he visit Cambodia in the future", she said.
However, according to the Phnom Penh Post, Christophe Peschoux, country director of the UN human rights agency, denied that Prof. Subedi had apologised to Mr. Hun Sen, saying that the letter did not contain an apology, and instead touched on issues Subedi would have addressed in his meeting with the premier.
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