Phnom Penh, 30 August 2023 – His Excellency An Sokkhoeurn, Under-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and His Excellency Naofumi Hashimoto, Ambassador for Human Rights and International Peace and Stability, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, co-chaired the 12th Cambodia-Japan Human Rights Dialogue, which was held on 29 August 2023 at the Ministry.

During the dialogue, both sides engaged in in-depth discussions encompassing a wide array of human rights topics. They included exchange of views on elections, fundamental freedoms, judicial reforms, legal aid program, and protection of rights of vulnerable groups. Furthermore, they explored avenues for international cooperation in peacekeeping efforts, humanitarian assistance initiatives, and collaboration within international area, including at the Human Rights Council.

His Excellency An Sokkhoeurn seized the occasion to highlight political journey of Cambodia over the last three decades, which stands as a unique example of a successful post-conflict country that has achieved peace, stability, robust economic growth, socio-economic development, poverty reduction, infrastructure advancement, and enhanced social mobility. He underscored the pivotal progress made in the realm of human rights, legal reforms, and expansion of comprehensive social protection programs, and significant contribution to global peace and security through its participation in the UN peacekeeping missions.

His Excellency An Sokkhoeurn underlined that human rights approach should be rooted in principles of respect, non-politicization, non-selectivity, reliance on verified sources of information, and genuine dialogue, taking into account distinct circumstances of each nation and avoiding any application of double standards.