A/HRC/41/2
also further reflects strong commitment and seriousness that the Government has made and
continues to make toward the promotion and protection of human rights.
883. However, while the country has shown clear commitment to implement and create
awareness of human rights, Cambodia regretted to hear numerous issues raised that do not
truly represent the situation on the ground, especially in the areas of civil and political
rights. It expressed disappointment to see the recent News Release delivered on 19 June
2019 by the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva in
which the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Ms. Rhona
Smith, and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom
of opinion and expression, Mr. David Kaye, have fallaciously alleged that the application of
law and order by law enforcement officers is aimed at silencing political opponents and
restricting right to freedom of expression online and offline.
884. Actually, the recent legal action against the members of former opposition party by
the local and court authority is an attempt to enforce the rule of law against the violators,
who try to exempt themselves from law and justice on the ground that they are simply
promoting different voices in different ways with a malicious intention. Political rhetoric
full of incitement, hatred, discrimination, violence, harassment, abuses, social riot appeal,
call for support of illegal movement and organization and rebellion against legitimately
elected government made by those members of former opposition party so far is not the
right to freedom of expression and opinion. It is an illegal act and must face criminal
liability in accordance with the criminal law of Cambodia. If this trend left unchecked, it
will end up in the way that freedom of expression and opinion is distorted and twisted to
undermine rule of law, human rights and democracy at once and for all.
885. As a democratic country upholding human rights and adhering to rule of law, all
Cambodian citizens are equally treated before the law regardless of their political
affiliation, profession, social status or their past. Each and every person is legally
accountable not because of who they are but because of what offences they have
committed.
886. In this regard, Cambodia will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders in
a collaborative manner in accordance with the established law, in order to safeguard the
interests of both the majority of its citizens and also those from minority and marginal
groups. Cambodia took note of all the statements and concerns raised and hoped that it will
abide by the principles and stop politicizing issues of concern. The country will not accept
those politically driven recommendations and statements that are based on biases with
complete disregard of facts and its national conditions.
887. Cambodia reaffirmed that its Government attaches great importance to the universal
periodic review and will continue to uphold its principles with its non-confrontational, nonpoliticized and non-selective approach. Cambodia encouraged members of the Human
Rights Council to view the significant progress of Cambodia in an objective manner while
adhering to constructive dialogue and cooperation. In particular, Cambodia resolutely
opposes the practice of using human rights as a pretext to interfere in internal affairs of
others and to undermine their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
888. As a follow-up to the adoption of its report, the Cambodia Human Rights Committee
and OHCHR in Cambodia will work together to co-organize workshops and other
programme activities to disseminate all accepted recommendations to all relevant line
ministries and institutions for implementation. The Cambodian Human Rights Committee
will also monitor the implementation of those recommendations and report back to the
Human Rights Council either in the mid-term review if possible or in the next cycle review.
138
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