"The rule of law and human rights are two sides of the same principle: the 
freedom to live in dignity" (United Nations). It is with dignity and with 
respect for the rule of law that the Asian Vision Institute invites you to take 
note of how Cambodia continues to evolve in the area of human rights.

In 1991, the Paris Peace Accords brought an end to decades of strife and 
ushered in what is referred to as a "negative peace" - the absence of armed 
struggle. In 1998, a full and lasting positive peace came to pass under the 
"win-win" policy of Prime Minister Hun Sen. Cambodia has since sought to focus 
on the future, to build state institutions and social cohesion and to adopt 
alternatives to violence based on the culture of dialogue and national 
reconciliation. Landmine and weapons reduction campaigns and conflict 
resolution programs are prime examples of these efforts. In addition to being 
one of the founders of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre, Cambodia has 
actively participated in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping and demining 
operations. Some 6,000 Cambodian peacekeepers have been deployed in many parts 
of the world.   

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Cambodia's liberation from the brutal 
genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge. This came in the wake of several years of 
brinkmanship by foreign powers. Forces once hailed as heroes became enemies 
overnight and a battered nation sought peace and stability. In 1979, it was 
with an unshakable resolve that the government of this nation committed to 
protecting its citizens from armed struggles and crimes against humanity. 

Respect for this most basic of human rights and all others, remains a priority 
for Cambodia. Our nation is a party to eight core UN human rights treaties and 
is the only country in Asia to host a field office of the Office of the UN High 
Commissioner for Human Rights. Nearly 80 percent of recommendations from the 
"Universal Periodic Review" of human rights records were accepted by Cambodia, 
following its most recent review cycle. The Cambodian Human Rights Committee 
disseminated these recommendations among relevant ministries and institutions 
and prepared an implementation report for the next review cycle. 

With respect to labour and trade union rights and freedom of assembly and 
association, Cambodian garment workers, for example, are very well represented 
via some 2,500 unions present in about 1,000 factories. A national committee 
for review of international labour conventions and the Ministry of Labour have 
consulted with stakeholders to improve trade union laws. More than 80 percent 
of Cambodian exports originate with the textile, garment and footwear 
industries, where wages have more than doubled since 2013. These wages are 
untaxed, as are non-salary allowances and benefits. Employers contribute to the 
National Social Security Fund which provides for maternity leave benefits, 
workplace insurance and health care. A pension for workers in the garment 
sector will come into effect later this year and a similar program will be 
expanded to other sectors. 

With respect to freedom of the press, Cambodians have access to 439 newspapers, 
194 magazines, 20 bulletins, 171 news websites, 48 online TV channels, 40 press 
associations, 21 foreign news agencies, 83 radio stations, 137 provincial radio 
stations, 19 analogue TV stations, 8 digital TV stations and 210 provincial 
cable TV stations. Cambodians also enjoy freedom of expression via a variety of 
social media. 

With respect to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Cambodia hosts one of 
the higher numbers of aid organizations per capita in the world. More than 
5,000 NGOs operate in the country and provide social and economic development 
and environmental protection aid in accordance with applicable rules and norms. 
These NGOs operate freely and exercise their rights to play a complementary 
role in national socio-economic development, climate change adaptation and 
environmental governance. 

Cambodia is home to the largest youth and adolescent population in Southeast 
Asia; "bamboo shoots" as they are called. "Youth for Peace" and the "Alliance 
for Conflict Transformation" are examples of initiatives that are designed to 
help a new generation to move forward. 

The national election in July of 2018 was conducted in a free, fair, peaceful 
and transparent manner. Twenty political parties were in the running. Despite a 
call for boycott, a significant majority of registered voters expressed their 
will to see this nation remain on a staunch path of peace, stability and 
progress. As in any democracy, those who would violate the rule of law are 
subject to prosecution and they may defend themselves in keeping with their 
rights as guaranteed under the constitution. 

Private land governance in Cambodia is in gradual recovery. Policy and legal 
frameworks are being refined in accordance with individual rights and land use 
guidelines. Efforts are being made to curb illegal occupation of land by those 
who would seek to pervert regulations for their gain. Pending disputes are 
being reviewed and addressed. Nationwide land registration procedures are to be 
completed by 2021. Concession procedures are in place to allocate acreage to 
the land poor for residential settlement and / or family farming. Communal land 
registration programs for indigenous communities and affordable housing 
projects are underway. 

This is but a sampling of the measures that the Royal Government of Cambodia 
has put in place to promote and to improve human rights on its soil. These 
achievements derive from mutual respect for authority, national sovereignty, 
territorial integrity and independence. We firmly believe that concerted 
constructive engagement among stakeholders and government is the most viable 
option for strengthening and sustaining a foundation for peace, harmony, 
democracy and prosperity. 

The Asian Vision Institute (AVI) https://www.asianvision.org/ is an independent 
think tank based in Cambodia. 

For further information: Media Contact: Dr. Chheng Kimlong, Phone: +855 
61211800, Email: kimlongchheng@asianvision.org 

SOURCE The Asian Vision Institute