CHRC president Keo Remy addresses a press conference, held to respond to allegations of declines in democracy and human rights, on December 22. CHRC
The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has refuted recent claims of “declining human rights” in Cambodia which were made by six NGOs. The NGOs based their arguments on the dissolution of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), as well as the failure of the Candlelight Party (CP) to register for the 2023 national election.
Addressing a press conference late last week, CHRC president Keo Remy described how the NGOs attempted to return to the spotlight as “old stories”.
He said that what the NGOs referred to in their joint open letter of concerns were the dissolution of the CNRP – which took place more than five years ago – as well as the failure of the CP to participate in recent elections.
“We are holding this press conference to clarify two issues. First, we want to accurately inform the public about the actual human rights situation in Cambodia. Second, we intend to write to the seven parliaments which the NGOs wrote to. Their claims focused only on the now-dissolved CNRP, as well as the CP, but they attempted to paint an overall picture of the situation of human rights in Cambodia, and claimed it is declining,” added Remy.
On December 13, six NGOs – ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), Asia Democracy Network (AND), FORUM ASIA, Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), CIVICUS and Human Rights Watch – published an open letter to the European Parliament and the legislative bodies of six countries, expressing their concerns about human rights situation in Cambodia. The five nations were the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
The open letter was published as Cambodia moves towards Senate elections. The vote is scheduled for February next year.
Remy described the situation of human rights and democracy in Cambodia as normal, explaining that all citizens have the right to vote and stand as candidates, and have freedom of expression, as stated in the Kingdom’s constitution and laws. The country organises national elections, as well as commune council election, both of which are held every five years, according to the law.
Regarding the dissolution of the CNRP, Remy reiterated that the party had colluded with a foreign power, receiving financial aid and strategic guidance from them. The acceptance of such provision was against Cambodian law on political parties.
On the CP’s failure to compete in the recent elections, the CHRC head reminded the media that the CP failed to provide the documents which were required by the National Election Committee (NEC).
The NGOs also requested the release of “political prisoners”, a term that Remy refuted. He noted that Cambodia has no political prisoners, only those who violated the law.
Soeng Sen Karuna, spokesperson for rights group ADHOC, suggested that the concerns raised by the six NGOs in their open letter to the European Parliament and the six nations could have a negative impact on the Kingdom.
“The government should review their concerns and make changes on those points where possible. I think that this would be better than to resolutely reject them,” he said, adding that the human rights situation in Cambodia did not appear to have improved since the CNRP dissolution.
Cambodia Reform Party founder Ou Chanrath noted that the six NGOs are prominent in terms of human rights advocacy, while their letters were addressed to the powerful bloc and countries. He urged the government to consider what they had raised.
Remy rebuffed the claims, saying: “The situation of human rights and democracy remains excellent. Prime Minister Hun Manet is developing the country, as well as respect for the rule of law, while punishing officials who violate the law.”
“Cambodia is walking towards the eradication of impunity, justice system reforms and comprehensive social protection systems, and will leave no one behind,” he added.
