Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - PM reminds Cambodians of freedoms on Human Rights Day

PM reminds Cambodians of freedoms on Human Rights Day

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Participants release balloons as they celebrate international Human Rights Day at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district on Tuesday. HEAN RANGSEY

PM reminds Cambodians of freedoms on Human Rights Day

Prime Minister Hun Sen took to Facebook on the 71st International Human Rights Day on Tuesday to remind Cambodians that the rights and freedoms they currently enjoyed came from liberation from the genocidal Pol Pot regime on January 7, 1979.

He said under the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79, people had no rights or freedoms, not even the rights to survive, eat, receive medical treatment, profess a religion, pursue education or enjoy freedom of expression.

“The genocidal Pol Pot regime revoked all rights and freedoms and forced young, adult and old people to overwork, with many becoming sick without access to medical treatment and doctors.

“This led to the death of more than three million people in just three years, eight months and 20 days,” Hun Sen said.

He said the current rights and freedoms allowed people to live peacefully and have jobs. They were able to practice their religion and had the right to freely elect their leaders. Such rights and freedoms had also seen Cambodia develop.

This year’s International Human Rights Day focused largely on the theme Youth Stand Up for Human Rights and highlighted the leadership role of young people and their potential.

In celebration of the Human Rights Day, 21 Cambodian human rights groups, unions and civil society organisations gathered at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district to express the challenges they felt they faced.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Cambodian human rights groups, unions and civil society organisations gathered at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district on Tuesday to celebrate the 71st International Human Rights Day. HEAN RANGSEY

“Cambodian citizens still cannot fully exercise their rights with regards to expression regarding public and political issues, as well as public gatherings,” said Meas Sarath, the chair of the board of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC).

Obstacles, he said, were still faced regarding press freedoms, civil rights and the right to participate in leadership and the development of natural resources.

The director of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights Chak Sopheap said that since 2017, government officials had not paid full attention to fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Violations of the freedoms of expression and association had taken place during a crackdown on members and activists of the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), she said.

“With regards to the issue of land rights, [land issues] have taken place and spread throughout the country. It remains a concern because the mechanisms with which to find justice for those affected are still limited,” Sopheap said.

Meanwhile, the CHRAC and 21 unions including civil society groups from across the Kingdom said they have prepared recommendations to be submitted to the government for review to improve the respect for human rights and democracy in Cambodia.

MOST VIEWED

  • Wing Bank opens new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004

    Wing Bank celebrates first anniversary as commercial bank with launch of brand-new branch. One year since officially launching with a commercial banking licence, Wing Bank on March 14 launched a new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004. The launch was presided over by

  • Girl from Stung Meanchey dump now college grad living in Australia

    After finishing her foundational studies at Trinity College and earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Melbourne in 2022, Ron Sophy, a girl who once lived at the Stung Meanchey garbage dump and scavenged for things to sell, is now working at a private

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Wat Phnom hornbills attract tourists, locals

    Thanks to the arrival of a friendly flock of great hornbills, Hour Rithy, a former aviculturist – or raiser of birds – in Kratie province turned Phnom Penh tuk tuk driver, has seen a partial return to his former profession. He has become something of a guide

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one