Hun Sen’s Geneva trip deemed a success
Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has described as “successful” Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visits last week to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Switzerland.
The ministry said the premier spoke to the WTO about Cambodia’s development to a stage where the poverty rate had been reduced from more than 50 per cent in 2004 to less than 10 last year.
Hun Sen met with WTO director-general Roberto Azevedo and expressed regret over the EU decision to formally withdraw its “Everything but Arms” agreement from Cambodia.
He met other WTO officials and ministers from several European countries to discuss trade.
In a keynote address to the 41st session of the Human Rights Council, Hun Sen described how rights had improved in Cambodia over recent decades.
“He emphasised the people’s struggles to rebuild and develop the country from ashes, all the while facing unfair trade embargoes and economic sanctions imposed by those who always preach about humanity, human rights and democracy,” the ministry said in a press release.
Hun Sen described how his “Win-Win” policy had brought a complete end to war and achieved lasting peace.
It was achieved by Cambodia alone, he said, without bloodshed, weapons or ammunition, and without external support.
“Cambodia, previously looked down upon and politically isolated, is now a fully independent sovereign state with territorial integrity, and has actively integrated herself into regional and international affairs,” Hun Sen said.
He then met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
Hun Sen’s Facebook page said Bachelet acknowledged that the premier had led Cambodia to economic prosperity and improved social rights.
Hun Sen and Bachelet discussed several issues, including the 173 recommendations in Cambodia’s Universal Periodic Review.
Bachelet offered support and technical assistance in implementing the recommendations, which she said respond to development strategies and strengthening the rule of law.
Hun Sen said he had worked hard to push the development of human rights. Recently he had helped detained women by creating a lawyer group to represent them free of charge and had increased the budget for the ministries of Women’s Affairs and Justice to help poor women.
Hun Sen met some 1,000 overseas Cambodian students to update them on the situation back home, touching on topics including concerns raised by Phnom Penh residents such as car parking and waste disposal.