Human Rights Council: 46th Session of the Universal Periodic Review, Cambodia

Delivered by First Secretary Emma Hodder.

Mr President,

We warmly welcome the delegation from Cambodia.

We welcome Cambodia's intention to establish an NHRI in line with the Paris Principles and commend Cambodia's positive progress on LGBTQI+ rights.

New Zealand recommends that Cambodia:

1. Open up political and civic space and re-enfranchise political parties consistent with its international human rights obligations, including the guarantees in Article 25 of the ICCPR that every citizen has the right to take part in public affairs through freely chosen representatives;
2. Reverse the forced closure of media outlets and repeal provisions of the Criminal Code that criminalise defamation and restrict freedom of expression and assembly; and
3. Release immediately and unconditionally all remaining political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists, media personnel and other advocates of human rights and democracy, and drop all charges against them, including the release of opposition leader Kem Sokha.

We thank the delegation of Cambodia for its participation today and its consideration of these recommendations.

Thank you Mr President.

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