The UN peace plan for Cambodia, embodied in the agreements signed in Paris on 23 October, constitutes a significant step in assuring for the people of Cambodia a secure and stable future, based on democratic institutions and respect for human rights. Central to their successful implementation will be the readiness of all the parties involved to respect the obligations they have voluntarily assumed in putting their names to the Paris agreements. No one underestimates the difficult task that lies ahead or the dangers which failure would entail.
The agreements are founded on the desire for national reconciliation and on the right of self-determination of the Cambodian people, exercisable through free and fair elections. It will be for the UN Secretary-General to propose the timetable for the UN operation, including preparations for and the holding of elections. Provisional indications are that elections could take place early in 1993.
The essence of the United Nations role during the transitional period is to ensure a neutral political environment in which the Cambodian people are assured the freedom to exercise their right to choose, in free and fair elections, those whom they wish to govern them. In order to ensure this, the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) will have under its direct supervision or control all those administrative agencies, bodies and offices which could directly influence the outcome of elections. It will be responsible for confirming that political parties and candidates meet established criteria in order to qualify for participation in the election. Adherence to a code of conduct established by UNTAC, in consultation with the Supreme National Council (SNC), will be one condition for such participation. It will also be a requirement that party platforms be consistent with the principles and objectives of the agreements. The Government believe that these provisions will ensure that there can be no return to the policies and practices of the past.
The provisions on human rights in the Paris agreements provide strong and effective guarantees both as regards the transitional period and for the future. During the transitional period, UNTAC has a mandate to make provision for general human rights oversight, including the investigation of human rights complaints and, where appropriate, corrective action. It will also have responsibility for the development and implementation of a programme of human rights education.