US releases human rights report in Cambodia

Release of the U.S. State Department's 2009 Human Rights Report
The U.S. Department of State released its 2009 Human Rights Report on Thursday, March 11. The report, required by U.S. law, examines the status of human rights in 196 countries and entities during 2009. The report describes the performance of governments in putting into practice their international commitments on human rights. It is a widely respected human rights reporting mechanism, and has become one of the most significant tools available to the U.S. Government to help determine foreign policy strategies that promote the development of democratic systems and principles, remedy abuse and disregard for human rights, and facilitate partnering with countries to develop their capacity to address human rights concerns.For Cambodia, the report noted the Royal Government’s promulgation of the Law on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a positive step forward, as well as efforts to implement National Minimum Standards for the Protection of Rights of Victims of Human Trafficking, which will help assist those who are most vulnerable. In addition, improved training and discipline by leaders of security forces led to fewer serious abuses than in 2008, such as arbitrary killings by members of the security forces. However, the report also noted concerns in several areas including the government’s restriction of free speech and freedom of the press through disinformation and defamation lawsuits; the forcible removal of 20 Uighur asylum seekers to China without the benefit of a credible process to determine refugee status; and continuing concerns related to land disputes and forced evictions. Endemic corruption and the continuing challenge of a weak judiciary were also highlighted by the report.
The official text of the report is available on the U.S. State Department's website at http://www.state.gov/. Khmer-language translations of the Human Rights Report's preface and the Cambodia Country Report will be available on the U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh's website at cambodia.usembassy.gov by April 9.
The United States vigorously promotes the cause of human rights as a core component of its foreign policy. Democracy, which is the best guarantor of human rights, is an interrelated set of freedoms and responsibilities, such as the rule of law; accountability; participation; thriving civil society; protection of minorities and women; and freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly and of worship, in addition to free and fair elections. When we support human rights and those civil society individuals and organizations who champion their cause, we help men and women around the world shape their own destinies.


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