Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 1 – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, Rhona Smith, visited the country from 29 October to 8 November 2018, at the invitation of the Royal Government.
On 31st October, Rhona Smith paid a courtesy call on Chea Sophara, Minister of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction.
The minister congratulated the MoU between the Royal Government of Cambodia and UN Human Rights Office in Cambodia on technical cooperation on human rights in Cambodia.
He also informed Rhona Smith Cambodia’s all-sector development under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen who ensures absolute peace, multi-party liberal democracy, political stability, rule of law, respects to human rights, economic development and poverty reduction.
The minister highlighted that the general election 2018 in July was held free and fair with 83.02% of voter turnout.
On land management and construction sectors, the ministry has enlisted about five million pieces of lands, an equivalent to 71% of the total seven million pieces so that citizens can safely possess land tenures; the ministry also enlisted lands for 24 ethnic communities to protect their identities, customs and traditions; collaborate with private sectors to provide affordable housing, social land concessions, and promote rights to housing and lands.
Land dispute resolution is done on legal principles, and respect to universal human rights.
Rhona Smith congratulated and highly commended the Royal Government’s achievements. Smith supports the social land concession and affordable housing initiatives which are significantly important to promote people’s living and rights to acquiring housing and lands. She recommended the avoidance of violating community lands of the ethnic groups; and promoting nationwide land registration that are the core issues of human rights, serving as the basis for sustainable development, poverty reduction, and food security.
Rhona Smith also urged the ministry to provide consultations and additional elements to the future report on human rights in Cambodia.
During her 11-day visit, the expert plans to meet senior officials, representatives of civil society and members of the diplomatic community.
The UN Special Rapporteur undertakes regular official missions to Cambodia and reports annually to the Human Rights Council, which appointed her in March 2015. She will present her next report to the Council in September 2019.
The expert will conclude her visit with a press conference to discuss the preliminary findings of her visit on Thursday 8 November at 15:00 local time at the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), No. 4, Street 271, Sangkat Phsar Daem Thkov, Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh.
=FRESH NEWS
