UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Cambodia. Delivered at the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Thank you Mr Vice-President,
The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report and welcomes his continued engagement with Cambodia.
We reaffirm our support for Cambodia’s ambition to achieve a smooth transition from Least Developed Country status in 2029 and remain committed to supporting Cambodia’s ambition for sustainable and inclusive development. We recognise the progress Cambodia has made in education and poverty reduction.
We welcome Cambodia’s efforts to tackle scam centres and transnational organised crime networks operating across the region and encourage further progress. We hope to see a sustainable end to hostilities along the Cambodia-Thailand border and support efforts to uphold the ceasefire, rebuild trust and address the humanitarian needs of affected communities.
We share the Special Rapporteur’s concerns about shrinking civic and political space and the implications this may have for confidence in the forthcoming commune and national elections. We encourage the Cambodian government to engage constructively with the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations and to promote an open and inclusive environment in which all voices can participate freely.
We ask the Special Rapporteur: what measures would most help create the conditions for free, inclusive and credible elections in Cambodia over the next two years?
Thank you.