Rhona Smith Explained

Nationality:British
Occupation:International human rights lawyer
Office:United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia
Term:2015–2021

Rhona K. M. Smith is a British legal academic. She is professor of international human rights and former head of Newcastle Law School at Newcastle University[1] [2] and was the United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia.[3] [4] [5]

Smith was criticised by the Cambodian government for behaving like a "teacher in a classroom". Smith had questioned the 2018 elections where Cambodian People's Party had taken all 125 seats. She noted that 118 politicians had been arrested and the courts had dissolved an opposition party, ignoring the constitution which expected a multi-party state.[6] In March 2021, Smith joined three other UN special rapporteurs in criticising lengthy jail terms given to Cambodian opposition leaders living in exile for seeking to return to Cambodia and foment popular opposition to the continued rule of Prime Minister Hun Sen.[7]

Smith served two three-year terms as special rapporteur for Cambodia, completing her service in March 2021, at which time she was succeeded in that office by Thai scholar Vitit Muntarbhorn.[8] [9]

Selected publications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Professor Rhona Smith . Newcastle Law School . Newcastle University . 1 April 2019.
  2. Web site: Rhona Smith . 19 October 2016 . The Conversation . 1 April 2019.
  3. Web site: Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia . United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights . 1 April 2019.
  4. Web site: Human rights: New UN Special Rapporteur on Cambodia launches her first official country visit . United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights . 1 April 2019 . 13 May 2015.
  5. Web site: CCJHR Annual Distinguished Lecture 2018: Professor Rhona Smith . Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights University College Cork . 1 April 2019. 2018-12-04 .
  6. Web site: Government hits back at Rhona Smith's UN comments, National, Phnom Penh Post. Chheng. Niem. www.phnompenhpost.com. en. 2019-04-02.
  7. Web site: UN experts: Cambodian opposition leaders' jail terms 'appalling'. Toronto Star. 8 March 2021.
  8. Web site: Thai scholar starts as UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia. Zazithorn. Ruengchinda. ScandAsia. 31 March 2021.
  9. Web site: Hopes pinned on new UN Special Rapporteur for human rights. Ben. Sokhean. Khmer Times. 31 March 2021.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Rhona Smith".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.