Human rights challenges in a country with a Hindu-Buddhist heritage: A case study of Cambodia

Abstract

This chapter analyses the challenges and opportunities of a country with a Hindu-Buddhist heritage, Cambodia, to embrace the modern conceptions of human rights as outlined in various UN human rights treaties. It covers the journey of Cambodia to democracy, rule of law and human rights, as a case study analyzing the author’s experience of serving as the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia for six years. Over the course of his employment as the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, he witnessed first-hand Cambodia’s attempts to transit from its tragic past to a peaceful democracy and assisted both the government and the opposition party and other stakeholders in Cambodian society to achieve their objectives. Therefore, this chapter offers the author’s reflections in his endeavour to promote human rights, democracy and rule of law in Cambodia.