Cambodia, EU Discuss Human Rights Cooperation

Phnom Penh, January 16, 2024 --

Cambodia and the European Union (EU) have discussed more cooperation on human rights in Cambodia.

The discussion took place in a meeting between Senior Minister H.E. Keo Remy, President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), and H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the EU to Cambodia, in Phnom Penh on Jan. 15.

H.E. Keo Remy underlined the preparation of a report on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), round 4, which was consulted with concerned ministries and stakeholders.

The UPR will be reviewed and endorsed by the Cambodian Prime Minister before being submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to proceed with the next step.

The senior minister briefed H.E. Igor Driesmans about a draft law on the establishment of the National Human Rights Institute in accordance with Paris Guidelines and International Human Rights Norms.

The committee cooperated with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia to organise 32 consultation meetings with the participation of concerned players.

There were also regular inspections of the human rights situation in detention centres such as jails and correctional and rehabilitation centres, indicating good results.

He also proposed that the EU ambassador seek the possibility of more cooperation between the CHRC, the EU embassy, and OHCHR on human rights in Cambodia.

For his part, H.E. Igor Driesmans accepted H.E. Keo Remy's request and pledged to expand the cooperation in the near future.