Foreign Ministry Calls for Consideration of All Sources for Any Assessment on Cambodia
Any assessment of Cambodia should take into account all sources of the assessment, underlined Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) H.E. Luy David in a recent meeting via videoconference with Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, regarding the civic space, political rights and democracy
As a post-conflict society, he continued, Cambodia is now one of the fastest growing economies in the world, attaining an average growth rate of 7 percent during the pre-Covid-19 time. “This could not be achieved without peace and stability which we consider as the pre-condition for socio-economic developments,” he said.
H.E. Luy David reaffirmed that Cambodia strongly abides by pluralistic democracy with 47 political parties now duly registered of which 17 political parties will compete in the upcoming commune election in June 2022. In the spirit of reconciliation, the National Assembly amended the Law on Political Parties in 2019, paving the way for reinstating political rights in favour of those, who had lost them due to the court’s decision and are seeking to return to political life. As a result, 32 former opposition politicians had their political rights rehabilitated.
H.E. Secretary of State also spoke about the good cooperation and the commitments of the Royal Government of Cambodia toward the United Nations Framework. The country has exercised its sovereign rights based upon principles of the United Nations Charter. Cambodia is proud to have transformed from a country that was once received UN peacekeeping forces to a country that is now dispatching peacekeeping operations to other conflicting countries across the globe under the auspices of the United Nations.
Besides, H.E. Luy David briefed the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia’s achievements in hosting the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM13) during late 2021 and the recent success of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held in February 2022. Cambodia’s priorities as the Chair of ASEAN in 2022 were also brought forward during the Meeting.
The proactive engagements of Cambodia in various multilateral fora are the reflection of the Kingdom’s commitment toward multilateral frameworks as well as in responding to the strategic challenges our region is facing, he said, adding that this can be seen through the themes of the ASEM13: “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth and “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together” for the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022.
Professor Vitit Muntarborn congratulated Cambodia in undertaking the role as ASEAN Chair in 2022 and acknowledged Cambodia’s active participations in the cause of global peace by sending Cambodian forces to the UN’s peacekeeping missions.
Finally, Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn extended his appreciation to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the open and constructive dialogue, and good. cooperation extended to the Special Rapporteur.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press