UN Human Rights envoy to visit

The UN Human Rights envoy, Yash Ghai, is visiting Cambodia this week to discuss his recommendations to the Human Rights Council regarding the state of Human Rights in the country. His last visit caused quite the furore, with the PM's temper tantrum.

On a previous visit in March 2006, Ghai said too much power in Cambodia resided in one man, and the government was not committed to human rights.

Prime Minister Hun Sen responded by calling Ghai "deranged," demanding the envoy's sacking and claiming he would never meet with him, the BBC reported at the time. Hun Sen then called UN workers in Cambodia "long-term tourists.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy has requested to meet with Ghai, in an effort to retain the UN's office for human rights in the country. (Source)

Despite the opposition, Ghai performs a vital task that must be allowed to continue. The PM is dictator of his own fiefdom but international diplomacy may be able to help arrest Cambodia's decline into a police state. International diplomacy requires information and Ghai can provide that. In addition, now that oil has been discovered in Cambodia, certain countries will take more interest in the internal affairs of another state, be it for good or ill.