Human Rights Council 36th Session (11-29 September 2017)

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia

Statement of Ireland

26 September 2017

Ireland would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her report.

Ireland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.

Mr President,

Ireland is deeply concerned by the deterioration in the civil society and democratic space in Cambodia where NGO representatives, trade union members, journalists and human rights defenders still find themselves subject to threats and harassment, arrest, pre-trial detention and prosecution. The use of the Law on Association and NGOs and other legal and administrative measures to monitor and limit the space for civil society is troubling. Ireland urges the Government of Cambodia to ensure civil society and other actors are free to operate without the threat of persecution.

In the lead-up to the national elections in 2018, we are particularly concerned at the arrest of Kem Sokha, in spite of his parliamentary immunity. We call on the Government to uphold freedoms of expression and association, and to enable political engagement in line with the relevant laws as well as the human rights obligations of Cambodia to take place.

Ireland would be interested in hearing the Special Rapporteur’s views on how recent developments in Cambodia has affected the space for civil society in the country.

Thank you.