PHNOM PENH: The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Vitit Muntarbhorn, is making his first official visit to Cambodia from 15-26 August 2022.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a press release on 12 August saying that Professor Muntarbhorn “will assess the situation of human rights in the country and the government’s efforts towards creating an enabling environment for the enjoyment of all human rights including political and civil rights and economic, social and cultural rights following the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“I look forward to meeting a wide range of stakeholders including government representatives, human rights defenders and other relevant stakeholders to assess the human rights situation in Cambodia and Cambodia’s efforts to implement international human rights law,” Professor Muntarbhorn is quoted saying.

The UN Special Rapporteur is visiting the country in-person on the invitation of the government, and will hold meetings across the country with national and local government officials, international and local civil society representatives, and other relevant representatives during his visit.

The independent expert will present his preliminary observations during a press conference to be held on 26 August 2022 at 14:00 local time, with attendance strictly limited to journalists.

He will present his next report to the Human Rights Council in October 2022.