The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has begun her first official visit to Cambodia to discuss concerns over the situation in the country. The visit comes a time of continuing political tension following last July's bloody coup when the prime minister, Hun Sen, outsed his co-premier, Prince Norodom Ranariddh.

Mrs Robinson said that she wanted to see progress towards creating the necessary conditions for free and fair elections, due to be held in six months time.

Her arrival in Cambodia had been due to coincide with the return of 12 leading opposition politicians who fled the country after fighting broke out in July. They have now delayed their visit due to what they termed "technical reasons".

Safety fears for returnees persist

A group of supporters and relatives of opposition figures from smaller parties did return on Thursday in an operation supervised by UN officials.

Hun Sen deposed his co-premier last year

Hundreds of Cambodians fled to neighbouring Thailand after July's coup in which at least 45 supporters of the deposed prime minister, Prince Ranariddh, were killed.

Some of those who came back expressed fears for their safety.

"I had to come even though I am still worried about my security," said Heng Pireak, an opposition newspaper editor.

"The longer I stay in Thailand, the more I will fear coming home," he said.

Work of Human Rights Centre under review

During her visit, Mrs Robinson will be seeking to renew an agreement with the Cambodian government for a UN human rights centre in the capital, Phnom Penh, to continue its work.

The centre has been criticised by the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, for interfering in the country's judicial processes.

Speaking after a meeting with the First Prime Minister, Ung Huot, who was installed after the coup, Mrs Robinson said she had been assured that the work of the UN centre was valued.

A BBC correspondent in Cambodia says that although the centre's mandate expires in March, the government is unlikely to close it down because it wants international recognition for the forthcoming elections.
 

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