Freedom and Human Rights

In the course of my internship with the Heinrich Böll Foundation my colleague Chey Vathana and I conducted a two-week research on a land conflict caused by a state-granted Economic Land Concession (ELC)  for the cultivation of sugarcane in three districts in Preah Vihear province.

Image credits Violations and restrictions of human rights take place every day. Pursuing human rights can be a dangerous undertaking. Human rights defenders fight with undaunted commitment for human rights. Frequently they encounter problems such as persecution and jail, or even risk paying for their commitment with their lives.

Human dignity must be restored. People need to be empowered to stand for their rights. Human rights belong to everyone. These are some of the powerful messages heard at Meta House on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day 2016.

10 May 2016 Yesterday’s detention of eight human rights workers and activists was an egregious violation of the right to freedom of expression in Cambodia, civil society groups said today. The detentions, which followed the pre-trial detention of four other rights workers and an election official last week, highlight an alarming surge in the Cambodian government’s latest campaign of intimidation against civil society.

Mr President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. I am deeply humbled at the trust placed in me by the Human Rights Council in appointing me Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. This afternoon I have the honour to present my first report.

Cambodia and its people have been served by special procedure mandate holders since 1993. In September 2014, the Human Rights Council considered the final report of the previous Special Rapporteur, Surya P. Subedi.