UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence comment on Cambodia
/
2:33
/
MP4
/
295.5 MB

Edited News , Press Conferences | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence comment on Cambodia

“UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today urged the Cambodian Government to act swiftly to enable and protect a conducive environment for a free and fair general election next month, saying he was deeply concerned by the curtailing of civic space ahead of the poll” he said.

“He says ahead of the election, there must be an open and pluralistic environment that guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and opinion, and freedom of assembly and association. These elements lie at the core of open and free societies as envisaged by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said,” Jeremy Laurence stated.

The National Election Commission (NEC) earlier this year disqualified the Candlelight Party (CLP) and Khmer United Great Nation Party from running for election while long prison sentences had been handed down against other opposition figures. Under international law, all citizens have an equal right to stand for election, a right that may only be subjected to restrictions that are objective, reasonable, and non-discriminatory.

Heavy fines have been imposed on other political actors, such as Son Chhay the Vice-President of CLP, who was ordered to pay over USD one million in fines and compensation to the National Election Committee (NEC) and the ruling Cambodian People’s Party for defamation.

“And this week, the Prime Minister said the Government would amend the election law to bar anyone who boycotts the vote, or encourages others to do so, from running as a candidate in future elections. Such an amendment, if enacted, would constitute an overbroad restriction on the right to freedom of expression and a breach of the right of all citizens to stand for election, guaranteed by the Constitution of Cambodia and international human rights instruments” he said.

“Human rights defenders, trade unionists and political activists reportedly face legal sanctions for having exercised their rights to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly or association protected by international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Cambodia in 1992” Jeremy Laurence said.

Jeremy Laurence quoted the High Commissioner and said that “the Paris Peace Agreement and international human rights treaties are the guarantors of peace, prosperity and a better future for Cambodia”.

“I urge Cambodia’s leadership to change course now to enable a vibrant civil society, a space for open debate and respect for human rights.”

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org or

Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org or

Jeremy Laurence + +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org or

Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

Tag and share

Twitter @UNHumanRights

Facebook unitednationshumanrights

Instagram @unitednationshumanrights

Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights

  1. Exterior shots: Palais Wilson
  2. SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today urged the Cambodian Government to act swiftly to enable and protect a conducive environment for a free and fair general election next month, saying he was deeply concerned by the curtailing of civic space ahead of the poll”.
  3. Cut aways: briefing room
  4. SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “He says ahead of the election, there must be an open and pluralistic environment that guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and opinion, and freedom of assembly and association. These elements lie at the core of open and free societies as envisaged by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,”
  5. Cut aways: briefing room
  6. SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “And this week, the Prime Minister said the Government would amend the election law to bar anyone who boycotts the vote, or encourages others to do so, from running as a candidate in future elections. Such an amendment, if enacted, would constitute an overbroad restriction on the right to freedom of expression and a breach of the right of all citizens to stand for election, guaranteed by the Constitution of Cambodia and international human rights instruments”.
  7. Cut aways: briefing room
  8. SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Human rights defenders, trade unionists and political activists reportedly face legal sanctions for having exercised their rights to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly or association protected by international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Cambodia in 1992”.
  9. Cut aways: briefing room
  10. SOUNDBITE (English)—Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): the Paris Peace Agreement and international human rights treaties are the guarantors of peace, prosperity and a better future for Cambodia. I urge Cambodia’s leadership to change course now to enable a vibrant civil society, a space for open debate and respect for human rights.”

Similar Stories

OHCHR/ Special Procedures - Press conference: Special Rapporteur on UCM - 17 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OHCHR

OHCHR/ Special Procedures - Press conference: Special Rapporteur on UCM - 17 September 2025 ENG FRA

Impact of unilateral coercive measures on economic, labour and social rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate ENG FRA

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addressed the Human Rights Council during a meeting on the Israeli strike on negotiators in Qatar on Tuesday. “Israel’s strike on negotiators in Doha on 9 September was a shocking breach of international law, an assault on regional peace and stability, and a blow against the integrity of mediation and negotiating processes around the world,” he said.

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF ENG FRA

Gaza: Thirsty and starving, war-battered families face ‘inhumane’ evacuation 

As bombs continue to fall on Gaza City as part of the intensifying Israeli military operation, families with starving children are being pushed southwards from one “hellscape” to another, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 16 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | IOM , UNICEF

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 16 September 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the International Organization for Migration.

HRC Press conference: Commission of Inquiry (COI) on OPT, including East Jerusalem, and Israel - 16 Sept. 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | HRC , UNOG

HRC Press conference: Commission of Inquiry (COI) on OPT, including East Jerusalem, and Israel - 16 Sept. 2025 ENG FRA

Latest report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.

OHCHR/ Special Procedures - Press conference: Special Rapporteurs on OPT - 15 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OHCHR

OHCHR/ Special Procedures - Press conference: Special Rapporteurs on OPT - 15 September 2025 ENG FRA

Press briefing: Human rights situation in Gaza and across the occupied Palestinian territory

UNIDIR Press conference on Cluster Munitions - 15 September 2025

1

2

1

Press Conferences | UNIDIR

UNIDIR Press conference on Cluster Munitions - 15 September 2025 ENG FRA

Launch of the Cluster Munition Monitor 2025 report

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK ENG FRA

New UN Human Rights report finds 10 years of increased suffering repression and fear

The UN Human Rights Office on Friday published a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since 2014. 

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNICEF , UNHCR

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025 ENG FRA

The ongoing humanitarian response to the devastating Afghanistan earthquake disaster continued on Friday, although essential services have been cut for operational reasons following reinforced Taliban restrictions on women working with the UN, the global body said.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 12 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | WIPO , WMO , OHCHR , UNICEF , UNHCR , WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 12 September 2025 ENG FRA

Michele Zaccheo, Chief, UNTV, Radio and Webcast Section, United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization, World Meteorological Organization, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council ENG FRA

Un nouveau rapport du Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme sur la République démocratique du Congo évoque le spectre de crimes de guerre et de crimes contre l'humanité dans le Nord et le Sud-Kivu., 

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025 ENG FRA

A high-level independent rights probe into the Sudan crisis on Tuesday condemned the many grave crimes committed against civilians by all parties to the war, citing disturbing evidence indicating that they had been “deliberately targeted, displaced and starved”.