Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
Former opposition leader Kem Sokha and a United Nations envoy on the human rights situation in Cambodia visited a border village, where Thai forces had set up barbed wire and containers, stopping displaced families from returning home after the border clashes ended last year.
Sokha was on site after being pardoned by the King last week, which lifted his five-year ban on foreign travel. In May, he received a partial royal pardon that removed his 27-year house arrest sentence for treason. However, he is still not allowed to participate in politics.
“AIthough I couldn’t come here personally [previously], I have known about the difficulties you suffer because of the war,” Sokha told displaced families at a temporary housing camp in Banteay Meanchey province on Tuesday.
He said that he had informed foreign friends and the international community about the human rights violations affecting Cambodians, including children, due to the conflict.
“The main issue I raised with the international community is the violation of human rights, including the fundamental right to living,” Sokha said.
“I spoke to foreign friends, especially those in democratic countries [which uphold] human rights. They have always listened to my voice, which is to help the Khmer people.”
“We are all Khmer, there is no discrimination against the issue that we are facing. Today, I have come personally to see to your challenges. When I go back, I will tell them to help not just all of you, but to also end the border conflict,” Sokha said.
He also visited soldiers stationed at the frontier in Oddar Meanchey, praising their courage and devotion to protecting Cambodia’s territorial sovereignty, according to his lawyer, Pheng Heng.
On Monday, U.N. Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews met with displaced people at a temporary housing site and visited frontier areas where Thai troops barbed wire and containers.
Prior to his visit to the border, Andrews met government leaders, including Senate president Hun Sen, political parties, civil society organizations, and media representatives, during his mission to Cambodia from 20 to 31 July.
He is expected to hold a press conference this Friday in Phnom Penh to wrap up his assessment of the state of human rights in Cambodia.
Meach Sovannara, president of New Generation Party, questioned whether the country has improved democratic space and respects human rights given the alleged shrinking of civic space, when he met Andrews on Monday.
“We want to see free [practice] of politics, particularly freedom of speech, and no suppression of political parties,” he said.
Ruling Cambodian People’s Party spokesperson Chea Thyrith said Cambodia is upholding human rights and democratic process.
“It is his right [Sovannara’s] to raise any issue or criticize the shrinking space for human rights. He is exercising his right and freedom,” he said.
“No one arrested him although he spoke about it. This means the government is respecting the freedom of expression,” Thyrith said, adding that the “government allows him to speak freely”.
