PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The U.N.'s specially appointed researcher on human rights in Cambodia has expressed concern over the country's use of pre-trial detention and its failure to conduct trials speedily.
Speaking Thursday at a news conference at the end of an 11-day mission, Rhona Smith also specifically expressed concern about people arrested in politically linked cases, including Kem Sokha, the former leader of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.
Kem Sokha was freed on bail in September after being jailed without trial for a year on a treason charge, but the conditions of his release amount to a form of house arrest.
Smith said a judge denied her request to meet Kem Sokha, and she called for him to be quickly brought to trial or released.
