Cambodian PM rejects meeting with UN rights envoy

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday that he would not meet visiting Surya P. Subedi, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights to Cambodia, as he has "no time to listen to Subedi's recommendations." Subedi arrived here on Sunday for his eighth fact-finding mission. Local media had reported that he would meet with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen during the visit. "I heard the news reported that he would meet with me. I don't know, there will be no meeting with me, I have no time to meet him, " Hun Sen said during a student graduation ceremony at the University of Cambodia. "I won't meet you. I want to tell you that this is 'sovereignty '. You cannot order the Cambodian prime minister to receive your recommendations," he said. "I am not under anyone's control. Even the United Nations secretary general cannot force me; instead, we have the rights to vote for the UN secretary general," Hun Sen said. "The prime minister of a country is not under the foot-sole of any foreigner. " In fact, he said, the country listened to others' opinions, but the others should not act as Cambodia's boss or Hun Sen's boss. "Only the National Assembly, which is elected by the people, has the rights to question me," the premier said. He said that the King is mourning his late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, so he will not receive him (Subedi) for talks either. Prime Minister Hun Sen and his officials have accused the UN envoy of effectively working for the country's opposition parties. In October, Subedi presented two reports to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, urging the Cambodian authorities to implement reforms to ensure that next year's general elections are free and fair. He also called for greater transparency and adherence to the law for the granting and management of controversial economic and other land concessions.