AFP
Cambodia-based rights groups say they are hoping that a newly appointed UN envoy to Cambodia for human rights will bring results in talks with the government of the Southeast Asian country, where years of diplomatic dialogue have failed to halt a crackdown on democracy and civil society.
Thai academic Vitit Muntarbhorn, who replaced former UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia Rhona Smith earlier this year, spoke on Wednesday in a first virtual meeting online with Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng.
Writing next day on his Facebook page, Sar Kheng said the talks with Vitit promised “frank dialogues and discussions” in the future on a range of issues of concern, including government measures taken to control the spread of COVID-19, the country’s crowded prisons, democracy, and the reform of the country’s NGO laws.