In a pivotal meeting on May 13, 2024, His Excellency SOK Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, welcomed Her Excellency Roueida El Hage, the Country Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia.
The courtesy visit by Her Excellency El Hage centered on the long-standing and valuable cooperation between the Royal Government of Cambodia and OHCHR. The discussion provided an opportunity to review the significant roles, activities, and accomplishments of OHCHR in the country to date.
The conversation was marked by a mutual recognition of the partnership that has spanned more than thirty years. Both parties acknowledged the shared history representing Cambodia’s commitment to maintaining productive engagement with United Nations mechanisms.
During the dialogue, His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister lauded the devoted efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia in supporting and safeguarding human rights within the nation. Furthermore, he emphasized Cambodia’s proactive stance in the international realm of human rights, highlighting the ratification and implementation of eight out of the nine major International Human Rights Conventions. The government’s priority on ensuring the civil, political, and socio-economic rights of the Cambodian people was also underscored.
Her Excellency Roueida El Hage reciprocated with expressions of deep appreciation for the Royal Government’s partnership. She affirmed OHCHR’s ongoing dedication to offering technical support to both the government and the people of Cambodia, aiming to further reinforce its collaborative endeavors in the promotion and protection of human rights.
As the meeting drew to a close, His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister stressed Cambodia’s eagerness to continue and enhance its collaborative relationship with OHCHR. He reinforced the government’s aspiration towards the revered objectives of human rights and democracy, resting on the fundamental principles of equality, state sovereignty, and respect for the national self-determination without external interference.
This exchange signifies a renewal of commitment from both sides to uphold human rights and continues to strengthen the framework for democracy in Cambodia within the context of its national sovereignty and international cooperation.
Source: MFAIC
