Forty-five countries on Wednesday called on Cambodia to reinstate the main opposition party, release its jailed leader and ensure a July general election is free and fair.
A statement on the human rights situation in Cambodia read by New Zealand on behalf of a group of 45 countries, including the US, Germany, Australia and the UK, said previous optimism had been “replaced by deep concern” regarding a decline in civil and political rights in Cambodia.
The statement, which was read to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, urged the Cambodian government to reinstate the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) and all elected members.
Dozens of opposition lawmakers were banned last year when the Cambodian Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in a ruling that was widely condemned by the international community.
That decision followed the arrest of CNRP leader Kem Sokha in September last year.
Kem Sokha has been charged with treason, accused of colluding with Americans to overthrow the Cambodian government.
Kem Sokha and the US embassy in Phnom Penh have denied the allegation.
Kem Sokha faces 30 years in prison if convicted.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled the nation for 33 years, is a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected from the genocidal group and helped drive it from power in 1979. He is credited with helping Cambodia achieve economic growth, but has been criticized for his crackdown on critics and the media.
“We call on the Royal Government of Cambodia to take all measures necessary, before it is too late, to ensure that the 2018 elections are free, fair and credible,” the statement said.
“We are particularly concerned about the conditions under which opposition leader Kem Sokha is being detained following his arbitrary arrest: He is reportedly in isolation, without adequate access to healthcare, subjected to intrusive observation and other conditions, such as constant light,” the statement said. “We call for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Kem Sokha.”
Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said Cambodia would not comply with demands made by foreign countries.
“We are equally members of the United Nations,” Phay Siphan said.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College