Cambodia reaffirms commitment to human rights at UN Rights Council session

GENEVA, July 9, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights during the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, delivering 22 statements and joining debates on a wide range of global issues, its mission in Geneva said Wednesday.

The council’s regular session, held from June 15 to July 8, saw Cambodia contribute to interactive dialogues and panel discussions covering civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as health, education, gender equality, climate change, migration, trafficking, access to justice, poverty reduction, mine action, racism, technical cooperation and international solidarity.

In statements under Agenda Items 2 and 3, Cambodia raised concerns over developments along its border with Thailand, calling for the safe and dignified return of displaced people, protection of migrant workers from discrimination and violence, and respect for humanitarian and human rights law. It reiterated support for peaceful dispute settlement in line with the UN Charter.

The mission said Cambodia co‑sponsored four draft resolutions, including on foreign debt and the right to health, the use of artificial intelligence to improve accessibility, humanitarian access and protection of personnel in armed conflict, and the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality.

Cambodia also joined 10 joint statements, among them Asia‑Pacific initiatives on education and health, an ASEAN declaration on climate change’s human rights impacts, and texts on poverty, women’s rights, technical cooperation, the Universal Periodic Review and the Middle East.

The mission said Cambodia remained committed to constructive engagement with UN mechanisms, including cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on Cambodia.

Its participation reflected a pledge to multilateralism, dialogue and human rights promotion, it added.