Europe To Host Hearing On Human Rights

The European Parliament first ever healing on human rigths In Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam is scheduled to take place in Brussels on September 12.

Khek Galabru, president of local rights group Licadho, and opposition leader Sam Rainsy have been invited to address the parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights regarding the situation in Cambodia, according to the meeting's program.

Kek Galabru said Sunday that she would be raising the issues of judicial reform, land grabbing, freedom of assembly, corruption and women's rights. Following presentations, the speakers will be asked questions by Eurpean parliamentarians.

European Parliament spokeswoman Jory Van den Broeke said in an email that the parliament's hearing was the first of its kind for the region and that the govemments of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam would be represented by their ambassadors.
Om Yentieng, head of the governmment's human rights committee, said last week that his committee was unaware of the hearing and that he had not been invited. Lasse Karner