“Guided by the… Good Faith in the Fulfillment of the Obligations Assumed by States”
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 695
Having considered, in The Mirror, last week two special days of commemoration designed by the United Nations, the International Anti-Corruption Day and the Human Rights Day, we will consider today another cluster of UN Conventions, Declarations, and Days of Commemoration. This is not just to always follow such events according to the calendar. There is a very special reason to look into this context because a number of people from a mountain minority, at present under UN protection in Cambodia, are facing the danger of being pushed out of the country.
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The Press Reported Over Many Years About Aung San Suu Kyi
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 690
Many news media have one common theme on this Sunday: the release of Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday, after having been under house arrest for 15 of the 21 years since 1990. Then the National League for Democracy – she was General Secretary of the party – had won 59% of the votes, and should have gained 392 of the 492 of the seats in the parliament of Burma. The power of the military prevented this, and had her isolated. On this Sunday, she was greeted again by a big crowds.
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“BRIEFING PAPER: Cambodia Gagged: Democracy at Risk?”
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 683
As I am in Germany – maybe about two more weeks – I had missed this Briefing Paper published by twelve Cambodian NGOs on 14 September 2010, which I am now mirroring belatedly on this Sunday’s edition of The Mirror.
Apologies for the delay, while traveling.
Norbert Klein
BRIEFING PAPER: CAMBODIA GAGGED: DEMOCRACY AT RISK?
Report on Freedom of Expression in Cambodia
1. Introduction
We, the above-mentioned non-governmental organizations, community organizations and unions today release a Report on the state of freedom of expression in Cambodia: Cambodia Gagged: Democracy at Risk?
Does Cambodia Benefit from Being a Member of the United Nations?
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 680
In a Comment to a previous report in The Mirror, the question was asked:
Why do we have to bank on the UN? aren’t they an international political entity? Do we really benefit from their philosophy?
Thanks for raising the question – I appreciate if we can enter into discussions on The Mirror – I try to respond. But I am not sure how to understand your comment – maybe you can further clarify? And other readers are of course also welcome to join.
Human Rights Defenders Encounter More Danger
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 680
“Phnom Penh: According to the latest report from the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights [LICADHO], titled ‘Attacks and Threats against Human Rights Defenders in Cambodia from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009,’ human rights defenders in Cambodia faced more danger during the last two years.
The Declaration of Assets Should Start with High Ranking Officials
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 679
“An anti-corruption law was already adopted by the National Assembly, but so far, the government has not implemented the law to eliminate corruption. In addition, the Anti-Corruption Unit and the National Anti-Corruption Committee have not carried out significant measures to fight corruption. The anti-corruption law requires some high ranking officials to declare their assets, but the declarations will be confidential. This invites criticism that the anti-corruption law in Cambodia is not conform to international standards and it is poor, compared with those of neighboring countries.
Thaksin quits as Phnom Penh's economic adviser
Cambodia and Thailand decide to reinstate their ambassadors
Thailand's bilateral ties with Cambodia appear to have returned to normal as it decided to reinstate its ambassador now that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has resigned as economic adviser to Phnom Penh.
However, Thaksin's reasons were not altruistic - he said he could not do his duties properly because he had a lot of business to attend to overseas.
The Prime Minister Encourages Officials to Care about the National Interest
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 677
“Prime Minister Hun Sen advised high ranking officials yesterday [9 August 2010] that their positions cannot be passed on to their family members of the next generation, but he suggested to focus on creating contributions in the national interest rather than to maintain their positions.
Cambodia Warned UN Officials Not to Interfere in Cambodian Affairs
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 672
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia accused the director of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia, Mr. Christophe Peschoux, claiming that he acted beyond his role when he criticized the deportation of two Thai red-shirt activists on Monday 5 July 2010, and the Ministry warned that such comment from him might make the government reconsider his presence in Cambodia.
Officials: Cambodia Organizes Freedom Parks for Assemblies
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 672
“A government official said on Monday that Cambodia is making way to create Freedom Parks for citizens to demonstrate, but local activists are concerned that this would restrict the freedom of expression. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Khieu Sopheak, told Agence France-Presse [AFP], ‘All provinces and cities are organizing places for Freedom Parks.’ He added that the authorities countrywide had been notified accordingly.