Cambodia snubs critical UN rights envoy
The UN human rights envoy to Cambodia voiced regret yesterday at an apparent snub by government officials adding he was also "surprised" by criticism he has received for highlighting rights abuses.
"I very much regret that I was not able to interact with government interlocutors this time," Surya Subedi told reporters in Phnom Penh, after a trip to Cambodia concluded without the usual meetings with senior officials.
"I would be looking to hear directly from the government, from appropriate channels, as to the reasons why," he said.
The snub comes after Subedi published reports this year expressing concern over an uptick in violent land conflicts, freedom of speech restrictions and a perceived lack of independence in the court system.
Strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen indicated on Thursday that he had no intention of meeting Subedi, warning against people acting "like the bosses of Cambodia".
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