UN rights envoy concerned by tensions in Cambodia

By Lauren Crothers

PHNOM PENH

 The United Nations human rights envoy for Cambodia has warned that the country is veering toward a “tipping point” if political tensions continue to mount over coming weeks.

Rhona Smith -- who was appointed to the independent position in March -- held back from making any serious judgements about the state of affairs in Cambodia after her first official mission to Cambodia in September. 

In remarks released by the U.N. in Geneva on Tuesday, however, Smith was said to have “deep concern” at the erosion of the so-called “culture of dialogue” between the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) over the last month.

“The past weeks have been marked by a number of worrying developments: increasing tensions between the two principal political parties; incidences of violence; intimidation of individuals; and resort to offensive language in the political discourse,” Smith said.

In October, two CNRP lawmakers were dragged from their cars, attacked and beaten as they left a parliamentary meeting.

Three members of the armed forces have since been charged over the attacks.

In addition, CNRP deputy leader Kem Sokha was ousted from his position as vice president of the National Assembly and party president Sam Rainsy is now in effective exile in a bid to avoid a prison sentence in a years-old defamation case.

He has also been summonsed to appear for questioning in a separate incitement case on Dec. 4.

“Any intensification of current events could bring Cambodia to a dangerous tipping point,” Smith said, adding that she does not intend to interfere with political or judicial bodies in Cambodia.

However, she added, “It is of great concern to me that there are multiple alleged violations of peaceful exercise of freedoms of opinion and expression, as well as the right to participate in political life, all of which are guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Cambodia is a party.”

Rainsy was in South Korea when the warrant was issued for his arrest over a 2011 conviction for defaming Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

He is now on his way to Europe “to follow the works of the European Parliament in Brussels where a resolution on Cambodia is being prepared,” he wrote on his Facebook page Monday.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that he didn’t believe Smith’s evaluation of the situation to be correct.

“We would like to strengthen the rule of law; nobody is above the law,” he said. “No one is exceptional or above the law. We respect pluralism."

"That’s why Prime Minister Hun Sen started a culture of dialogue. We have to be honest and respect each other.”