Professor Rhona Smith

Wed the 3rd Waning Moon of Assayuja B.E.2560, October 19, A.D.2016 Year of the Monkey

Download in Khmer: rhona-smith-statement-khmer
Download in English: rhona-smith-statement-eng
Phnom Penh – “The Cambodia of 2016 is very different from the Cambodia of 1991,” says Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, Prof. Rhona Smith, this evening. “The progress and development is well worth celebrating, however imperfect aspects of that progress may be. The time for the Government to blame the troubles of the last century for the situation today is surely over.” Prof. Smith made these remarks in a statement at her end-of-mission press conference, held at the OHCHR office in Phnom Penh. Covering a wide range of issues that were brought up in her various field trips and meetings, the statement included recommendations to the Government on vulnerable groups, land rights, rule of law and justice, prison reform, electoral preparations, and the general human rights situation in the country.

The Special Rapporteur reiterated her “pledge [to the Government] to assist by advising, monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Cambodia.”