Cambodian groups in Australia urge Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to raise rights issue during visit

ABC News (Australia) | 22 Feb. 2014

Photo: Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's Southeast Asia tour includes the Philippines and Cambodia. (REUTERS: Romeo Ranoco)

Map: Australia

Cambodian groups in Australia are calling on Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to raise human rights concerns during her visit to Cambodia.

Ms Bishop arrived in Phnom Penh on Friday, and was due to meet with the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as well other senior government officials during the two day visit.

In a statement signed by several Cambodian and Khmer groups from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, members of Australia's Cambodian community say Ms Bishop should be "consistent".

"On the 3rd January the Cambodian military shot dead 5 garment workers, wounded more than 40 other protestors and locked up 23 unionists and human rights activists without charges," the statement says.

"On the 22nd of January, two protestors in the Ukraine were shot dead. Minister Bishop rightfully called in the Ukraine's Ambassador for a dressing down.

"We urge Minister Bishop to be consistent and also take the Cambodian regime to task for attacks on their own citizens."

The statement says Australia, as Cambodia's second largest aid donor, should "demand" the Cambodian Government commit to serious reform.

Human Rights Watch has also called on the Minister to raise human rights as an issue during her visit to Cambodia.

In an open letter to Julie Bishop published on the HRW website, Australia Director Elaine Pearson says "Australia has claimed credit for its diplomacy in the 1990s that was supposed to lead to a democratization of Cambodia based on respect for human rights. Sadly, that has not materialized."

Ms Pearson says rights such as freedom of expression, assembly and association "are under regular attack, while corruption is rampant."

She's also questioned the fairness of national elections held in July 2013, which are still contested by the main opposition and some civil society groups.