UN rights office voices concern at clampdown on political activism in Cambodia
Ravina Shamsadani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Photo: UN Multimedia
UN News Centre | 30 October 2015
The United Nations human rights office expressed
concern today over a worsening climate for opposition politicians and
activists in Cambodia, and stressed that the right to peaceful assembly
and to freedom of expression belongs to all.
According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),
11 opposition activists are serving prison sentences of between seven
and 20 years for participating in or leading an “insurrection.” Another
opposition Member of Parliament is awaiting trial on charges that
include incitement to commit crimes and forging public documents.
“We stress that the right to peaceful assembly and to freedom of
expression belongs to all individuals, regardless of their political or
other opinion,” OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.
On what appears to be an organised attack last Monday, a group of
pro-government protesters in Phnom Penh verbally and physically
assaulted opposition Members of Parliament and threatened the safety of
the private residence of the National Assembly’s First Vice-President.
Reports suggest that police and other state security forces looked on
while the attacks took place – in stark contrast to their response to
protests that have been organised in the past by groups criticizing the
Government.
OHCHR welcomed the establishment of an investigative commission into
last Monday’s incident, but stressed that the investigation would only
be credible if it was “independent, impartial, thorough and prompt.”
“Those responsible for the violence must be brought to justice,” Ms.
Shamdasani stated, while also urging the Government to take all
necessary measures to ensure the security of all the
democratically-elected representatives of the people of Cambodia,
irrespective of their political affiliation.
Voices are not enough; Hun Sen needs to be “secretly” gunned down to save Cambodia from the misery.
ReplyDeleteWhy prolong the agony when we can put Hun Sen out of his misery?
ReplyDeleteUN know everything about HUN SEN than we all know but UN can't do anything that why HUN SEN keep doing again and again. It like UN give HUN SEN a green light for him and than UN just condemn HUN SEN action than quiet down. I never see UN do anything to him and I only see UN give him a reward and UN leader look like a close friend with him. Yes you can say I'm wrong because UN leader has to be nice to every member but do he can point out the problem.
ReplyDeleteThat’s what the word “secretly” comes into the solution.
ReplyDeleteWhy not killing one but it saves millions from misery, isn’t it a humane way?