Rights group urges Cambodia to show strong leadership over LGBT rights

PHNOM PENH (Cambodian Herald) The Cambodian Center for Human Rights urged Cambodia Monday to show "strong national and international leadership" in promoting human rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people.

"In Cambodia, despite some degree of improvement in terms of social understanding and tolerance, LGBT people still face an array of challenges, most particularly the discrimination that they encounter from all quarters, in particular from their families, employers and local officials, such as the police," a statement said.

The center urged Cambodia to echo the words of  US President Barack Obama and "speak out in favor of the rights of LGBT people and against discrimination and to instigate anti‐discrimination legislation."

Cambodia could also use its position as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to "encourage reform across the region, including lobbying for the inclusion of provisions protecting the human rights of LGBT people in the draft ASEAN human rights declaration that is currently being discussed and finalized."

The center said it believed that "the situation in Cambodia will continue to improve for LGBT people and their enjoyment of their rights, and that Cambodia can establish a legacy in the region."