CAMBODIA

Statememt by HE Hor Lat,

Representative of the Royal Government of

the Kingdom of Cambodia during the World Conference against Racism,

Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and

Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa from August 31

until September 8, 2001

Respect,

- Excellency Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General - Honorable Nelson Mandela
- Excellency President Thabo Mbeki
- And Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen Representative of Sates and Observers

On behalf of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee and on behalf of the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia I would like to express sincere thanks for the welcome made by the Committee against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which prepared this gathering. I would like to thank the host country, especially the government and people of the Republic of South Africa such as Nelson Mandela who is the hero of South Africa and President Thabo Mbeki, who are present here.

Respected world Conference:
The Royal Government of Cambodia was warmly invited to this conference because we were welcomed by the Committee which has praised the Kingdom of Cambodia after she was forgotten through discrimination caused by the political situation of the cold war during the last decade.

Taking this advantage the Royal Government of Cambodia rejoins in discussion with the Committee which is responsible in eliminating all forms of Racisim of the United Nations.

The Royal Government of Cambodia believes that owing to the fiundemental right every human being has equal value from birth and there should not. be any one who is the victim of Racism and acts of "man hates man"

The Royal Government of Cambodia agrees with the evaluation of the Committee on eliminating all forms of Racism in the Kingdom of Cambodia dated March 31, 1998 CERD/C/3.04 Add. 54 on the reports which the Royal Government of Cambodia presented in 1997 but nowadays the human rights situation of Cambodia has been changed a lots.

The Kingdom of Cambodia promised that there is a deep appriciation of the brave struggle made by the people of South Africa against Apartheid regime as well as the equality and Justice under democracy, rules of law, and the respect of human rights.

The Royal Government of Cambodia would like to recall the statement in Vienna and the Plans of Actions which was adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in June 1993 calling for the elimination as quick as possible and comprehensive on all forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

The Royal Government of Cambodia would like to take part in a new policy with good will and make a committment for the equality of justice and dignity in the world. The Royal Government respect the victims of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in the whole world and is ready to adopt the declaration and plans of actions.

The Royal Government of Cambodian welcomes the decision of the General Assembly to proclaim the year 2001 as the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations and to proclaim the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010), as well as the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration and Plan of Action on a Culture of Peace.

Based on the calling made by the Conference on concrete recommendations work procedures to improve effectiveness of actions and various mechanism of the United Nations through coordination projects and the committment to all provisions related adequate finance and other means in order to combat the Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intoklerance.

On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia I would like to adopt the declaration and plans of actions made by the World Conference in Durban, South Africa and will implement it according to local, national, regional and international levels. All of us will put into practice according the provisions made by the conference and examine it in the next five years and we will take into consideration and take action individually or together based on the recommendations in this conference.

Thank you.