HRC63 - EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

63^rd session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia 

2 October 2026

EU statement

Mr./Madam President/Vice-president,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report.

We welcome Cambodia’s constructive engagement with international human rights mechanisms, including with the Special Rapporteur and the OHCHR.  We recommend other countries under similar mandates to do that same. We encourage Cambodia to keep advancing the protection of the enjoyment of human rights of LGBTIQ+ persons and persons with disabilities, as well as progressing in gender equality.

The EU remains concerned by the ongoing severe restrictions on civic and political space and the reports of arbitrary detention, judicial persecution, harassment and criminal proceedings against human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists and opposition actors, as well as restrictions affecting independent media and freedom of expression. 

We also express our serious concern regarding recent legislative developments such as amendments to the Law on Nationality, and several laws, including penal code provisions used to imprison opposition activists, human rights defenders and journalists. These are inconsistent with Cambodia’s international human rights obligations. 

We call on Cambodia to protect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, ensure fair trial guarantees, and release those arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms.

Mr. Special Rapporteur, how can the international community best support Cambodia in creating a more enabling environment for civil society and democratic participation?

Thank you.