SRP condemns threats to close UN office in Cambodia

October 28, 2010

SRP CONDEMNS THREATS TO CLOSE UN OFFICE IN CAMBODIA


The Sam Rainsy Party, Cambodia’s second largest political party, strongly condemns threats made by Prime Minister Hun Sen during his October 27 meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, to close the UN human rights office in Cambodia.

The SRP feels compelled to remind the Cambodian government that a UN human rights office operating in Cambodia is part of the implementation of the 1991 Paris Agreements on Cambodia that are binding all the signatories.

Article 17, in Part III entitled “Human Rights,” of the Agreement on a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict, stipulates, “After the end of the transitional period, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights should continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in Cambodia, including, if necessary, by the appointment of a Special Rapporteur who would report his findings annually to the Commission and to the General Assembly.”

Article 3, point 3, of the Agreement Concerning the Sovereignty, Independence, Territorial Integrity and Inviolability, Neutrality and National Unity of Cambodia, confirms, “The United Nations Commission on Human Rights should continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in Cambodia, including, if necessary, by the appointment of a Special Rapporteur who would report his findings annually to the Commission and to the General Assembly.”

In order to “monitor closely the human rights situation in Cambodia,” the concerned UN body must operate and maintain an office in this country. Any attempt to close the existing UN office would be a serious breach to the Paris Agreements on Cambodia, all the more so given the deteriorating human rights situation in this country.

SRP Members of Parliament