CHRC’s Remy praises govt’s economic policies
The country annual growth averaged 7% between 2009 and 2019. Poverty rates nearly halved from 33.8% in 2009 to 16.6% in 2022. Despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia’s economic growth is projected to be 5.8% in 2024 and 6% in 2025, according to Remy.
His remarks were made during the two day, Regional Dialogue on “Sharing Good Practices on Enhancing Human Rights during the COVID-19 Pandemic in ASEAN”, funded by the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF).
The event, held in Phnom Penh, served as a platform for discussion on the human rights implications of the pandemic and showcased collaborative efforts in the region.
In his opening remarks, Remy who is also the representative of Cambodia to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), reflected on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, “I would like to recall that the first known case of the infection was identified in late 2019 and spread rapidly across the world.”
He noted the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a public health emergency on March 11, 2020, which prompted countries worldwide to implement various preventive measures.
Cambodia, like many nations, faced significant challenges due to the pandemic, resulting in over 3,000 casualties and more than 130,000 cases.
However, Remy praised the government’s response, particularly its vaccination policy, which has been widely recognised for its effectiveness.
“The government’s vaccination policy against the virus, was successfully implemented and praised by peer countries and the WHO, by providing free and non-discriminatory vaccinations,” he remarked.
The successful vaccination campaign allowed Cambodia to gradually resume economic and social activities, including the reopening of schools and tourism. Remy emphasised the government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights during the pandemic, particularly the fundamental right to life.
He highlighted the ongoing economic growth in Cambodia, the reduction of poverty rates despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, showcased the resilience in the face of adversity.
The government has recently approved a draft budget exceeding $9.3 billion for 2025, with an economic growth forecast of 6.3%. This growth is expected to be driven by advancements in key sectors, including industry (8.6%), services (5.6%), and agriculture (1.1%). Additionally,
inflation is projected to be at 2.5%.
Remy also acknowledged China’s vital support during the pandemic, noting, “China has provided significant support to Cambodia in various forms including the donation of medical supplies, which enabled Cambodia to safeguard millions of lives.” He emphasised the importance of solidarity and cooperation between Cambodia and China during times of crisis.
In light of the pandemic’s unprecedented challenges, Remy underscored the need for enhanced human rights protection, stating, “The enhancement of human rights protection and promotion in the context threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic should be viewed as an utmost priority of all duty bearers.”
He called for the integration of human rights values in response efforts and stressed the importance of sharing lessons learned during this period.
The Regional Dialogue aims to foster collaboration among multi-stakeholders and identify areas for future cooperation. Remy urged all delegates to actively participate, in all the sessions taking place over the next two days.
Cr: KhmerTime
