United Nations

Cambodian pro-democracy activists at the UN

Geneva, 7th October 2024, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Cambodia Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn presented his latest findings in the plenary session of the Human Rights Council 57th session. He affirmed that “the political panorama has undergone a disconcerting contraction”, listed the political repression, undemocratic electoral reforms, human rights violations and concluded that the 2023 elections were neither free nor fair. Astrid Thors from Liberal International, called in her statement for the release of all political prisoners, including human rights and environmental rights defenders.

A unique side-event at the UN to highlight the situation of human rights in Cambodia

Along with the Khmer Movement for Democracy, Mother Nature Cambodia, Manushya Foundation, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, and Liberal International a parallel event to the Human Rights Council’s 57th session was organized to discuss the situation of human rights in Cambodia.

The event brought together the voices of Cambodian activists and leaders to the Palais des Nations, advocating for the enforcement of the Paris Peace Agreement and providing a direct platform for them to reach Member States and other stakeholders. Diplomats representing more than a dozen countries attended the event.

In his opening remarks, the Special Rapporteur called on all activists and observers to provide support to local level representatives that may already be pursued by the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections, and to support the increase of women’s public and political participation. As his mandate will be up for renewal next year, he emphasized the need to continue monitoring and documenting the situation of human rights.

Alex Gonzalez-Davidson, founder and director of Mother Nature Cambodia, explained the engagement of hundreds of environmental rights defenders. Their campaigns have attracted international media coverage but has also led to a targeted crackdown on their operations. As of today, five Mother Nature Cambodia activists are serving sentences of 6 to 8 years of prison following sham procedures. In reminding the audience that Cambodia currently holds the second highest rate of political prisoners in the world, after Venezuela, Alex denounced the gap between the government’s supposed commitment to sustainable development and the reality in Cambodia. This “façade” cannot hide the highest deforestation rate in the world and the lack of economic opportunities for Cambodians. Alex’s words were a stark reminder of the disastrous consequences of autocratic nepotism: not only are rights defenders oppressed, but the needs of the entire population and future generations are sacrificed for the personal interests of a few.  

Ms. Atrid Thors, LI vice president and chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, shared her long-standing support to pro-democracy activists in Cambodia. She called on the government to implement all their international obligations, especially those that they approved as recently as the Universal Periodic Review of May 2024. Keeping in mind the 2027 elections, Ms. Thors confirmed the continuous support of the international liberal community to the democrats of Cambodia.

The event closed with a strong call for action from Ms. Sochua Mu, a tireless leader for a democratic Cambodia, whose engagement led to her exile following political persecution. Ms. Mu called on the United Nations, and engaged Member States to look beyond the words of the current government, and hold them to account for the gross human rights violations that are occurring every day. She called for the release of all political prisoners, and for a pathway to free and fair elections in 2027.