October 6, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia’s representative to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, has declared that peace cannot exist on words alone when there are no solutions to mass displacement, village blockades, property seizures, forced evictions and soldiers who remain in captivity.
On October 3, during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, In Dara, Cambodia’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered his remarks during an interactive dialogue with Vitit Muntarbhorn, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia.
He welcomed the special rapporteur’s first call, to respect the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire agreement, and called for its practical implementation.
Regarding the domestic human rights situation, the special rapporteur stated that Cambodia is in a “difficult” and “dangerous” situation. This claim was rejected by Dara, who said that Cambodia is not in paralysis, but moving forward, rising from war to rebuild institutions of peace and law.
He said elections are free, civil society is vibrant and progress is undeniable.
He described the report as “selective and unbalanced”, focusing only on political rights while not sufficiently recognising socio-economic achievements.
He called on the rapporteur to adhere to the code of ethics for holders of special procedures, with impartiality and balance.
He also suggested that the council consider the report in a more balanced way, recognising both achievements and challenges.
Dara reiterated that Cambodia remains firmly committed to peace as the foundation of rights, development as the guiding principle of dignity, and achieving full human rights for all Cambodian citizens.