PHNOM PENH — Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, has expressed his commitment and readiness to cooperate with Cambodia in a constructive spirit, based on national and international law.
Andrews made the remarks during a courtesy call and working discussion with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace on the morning of July 30, 2026.
Andrews expressed his deep thanks to the Royal Government and relevant ministries and institutions for their open cooperation and mutual understanding. He told the prime minister that during his mission he had met senior officials, ministry and institutional representatives and civil society organisations, and visited camps for people displaced by the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict. He commended the government’s attention to assisting and supporting displaced people who had not yet been able to return home. He also praised Cambodia for accepting eight of the nine human rights-related instruments and reiterated his commitment and readiness to cooperate constructively on the basis of national and international law.
In response, Hun Manet congratulated Andrews on his appointment as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia and stressed that the government needed partners willing to cooperate constructively and fairly. He outlined the government’s attention to human rights and fundamental freedoms based on national law and international instruments, particularly the rights to healthcare and education. He also stressed that rights and freedoms should be exercised responsibly and within legal limits.
The prime minister added that, whether a country was large or small, law enforcement and the promotion of human rights must take place under the law, and that each country had its own particular characteristics. He encouraged the Special Rapporteur to continue working closely with relevant ministries and institutions and to base his reports on comprehensive information from all relevant parties, to contribute to improving the implementation and promotion of human rights in Cambodia.
Hun Manet also briefed Andrews on developments along the Cambodia–Thailand border, reiterating Cambodia’s commitment and position on resolving the border issue peacefully, based on international law and in accordance with existing conventions, treaties and agreements between Cambodia and Thailand.
By: ធី លីថូ
