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UN rights office signs new MoU to continue "legitimate operational presence" in Cambodia

Xinhua, December 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cambodian government to continue its "legitimate operational presence" in Cambodia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Tuesday.

The new MoU, valid for two years, was inked on Monday, the statement said.

"This renewal reaffirms the RGC (Royal Government of Cambodia)'s unequivocal commitment to upholding and advancing principles of respect for fundamental freedoms and democracy as enshrined in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia," the statement said.

It added that the Cambodian government reiterated its firm commitment to a genuine and sincere partnership with the UN, and to a full and effective enforcement of the new MoU based on mutual respect and non-interference in Cambodia's internal affairs.

In a letter to the UN high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Nov. 22, Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn warned to close down the OHCHR in Cambodia by Dec. 30, 2016 if the UN did not sign the new MoU with additional language about not interfering in Cambodia's internal affairs.

The minister also lashed out at representatives and spokesmen for the OHCHR in Cambodia for taking arrogant and disrespectful behavior toward the sovereignty of Cambodia.

Cambodia has consented to the field presence of the OHCHR in the country since 1993 through a bilateral agreement, known as the MoU, which has been renewed several times. Endit