Cambodia Warns Discrimination Is Shifting Online and Into AI, Urges Rights Reset

PHNOM PENH — Sept. 29, 2026: Cambodia has warned that discrimination is increasingly moving into online spaces and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and called for established human rights principles to be applied to these new realities.

H.E. In Dara, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, made the remarks in Cambodia's national statement on Sept. 28, 2026, at the UN General Assembly's 81st session, marking 25 years since the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

He said every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights, but stressed that formal equality must become lived reality through inclusive institutions, equal opportunity and sustained action to remove barriers to inclusion.

H.E. In Dara reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to equality and non-discrimination, a stronger national human rights framework, and social cohesion through intercultural and interfaith dialogue. He pointed to online hate speech and harmful stereotypes as modern forms of discrimination that require a response grounded in existing human rights standards.

He closed by urging renewed resolve to fulfil the Durban Declaration's promise, saying the credibility of the international human rights system will be judged not by the principles it declares but by the protection it delivers to those still facing discrimination and exclusion.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation


Reported by The Khmer Daily Network