A/HRC/41/2
3.
General comments made by other stakeholders
903. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Uruguay, eight other
stakeholders made statements.**
904. International Lesbian and Gay Association called on Cambodia to work with
relevant stakeholders to fully implement recommendations specifically relating to sexual
orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) rights and
sexual and reproductive health and rights, with a view to enabling marriage equality for
same-sex couples, enacting laws and policies protecting LGBTIQ people from
discrimination on the basis of SOGIESC, and introducing legislation allowing legal gender
recognition for transgender persons. It encouraged Cambodia to continue and strengthen its
ongoing efforts towards the effective implementation of a new comprehensive sexuality
education curriculum in schools.
905. International Federation for Human Rights Leagues expressed that, despite
accepting 87 per cent of recommendations, Cambodia is effectively a one-party State where
the ruling party controls the legislative and executive branches, and consistently exerts
undue influence on the judiciary. Additionally, it expressed its concern at the refusal of
Cambodia to commit to the release of those who have been arbitrarily detained on
politically motivated charges. It highlighted that the failure to accept recommendations
calling on the Government to issue a standing invitation for country visits to all United
Nations special procedures illustrates the selective engagement of the Government with the
United Nations system.
906. International Catholic Child Bureau noted that the school system in Cambodia lacks
resources to carry out its assignments. It hoped that the newly adopted Strategic Plan on
Education will build a strong leadership and momentum for an in-depth reform of the
education sector. It calls on Cambodia to significantly increase the budget allocated to
education; develop ways and means to stop the high drop-out rate and ultimately provide
alternative solutions such as vocational training to those children; train enough qualified
teachers and strengthen the capacities of current teachers to improve the quality of
education; fight against violence in schools, including corporal punishment; guarantee
effective access to education for children in remote and rural areas, including by building
schools in those areas.
907. Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women highlighted that adolescent
pregnancy remains a key issue in Cambodia. Additionally, there is limited data concerning
abortion, which further complicates the issue. It urged Cambodia to ensure the
implementation of the law on abortion; to address barriers that prevent adequate
implementation, including stigma, negative beliefs and socio-cultural taboos through
increased awareness campaigns and service provision of safe abortions, particularly among
the marginalised; and to invest in evidence generation on abortion issues to better inform
policies and programmes.
908. Human Rights Watch noted that the Cambodian population was deprived of free and
fair national elections in 2018 as the State turned into a one-party State. Furthermore, since
the last review, Cambodia has adopted new repressive legislation and amended other laws
to further restrict freedom of expression and association. It remained concerned about the
** The statements of stakeholders that were unable to deliver them owing to time constraints which were
made available are posted on the extranet of the Human Rights Council, at
https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc/HRCSessions/RegularSessions/41Session/Pages/default.aspx
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