THE United Nations has appointed a Barnet resident to the prestigious position of human rights rapporteur for Cambodia.

One of only eight UN special rapporteurs in the world, 51-year-old Surya Subedi, from Manorside, will be expected to identify human rights problems in the country and give constructive recommendations to help tackle them.

Dr Subedi was given the post because of his contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights over the past two decades, both nationally and internationally.

He said: “The job will be a huge challenge because it will involve speaking on behalf of marginalised and oppressed groups – the people who can’t speak up for themselves.

“But I feel confident I can do a good job. My approach will be not to criticise people, but to offer constructive advice.

“I have a good understanding of the main concerns facing Cambodia and what I need to do to make the situation better for people.”

Dr Subedi is currently a professor of international law at the University of Leeds and a practising barrister in London. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in law from the University of Oxford, a Master of Law degree with distinction from the University of Hull, and a Bachelor of Law degree from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Between 1998 and 2006 he was chief editor of the Asian Yearbook of International Law and is a member of the executive council of the Asian Society of International Law.

He was appointed an honorary OBE in 2004 for his services to international law and Britain-Nepal relations, and was decorated by His Majesty King Birendra of Nepal for his services to international law in 1998.

In Nepal, Dr Subedi has worked as an under-secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice, a legal adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and represented the country in the United Nations General Assembly.

He has also taught international law in Hull, London, New York, The Hague and Sweden.

The main issues he plans to address in Cambodia, he said, are the independence of the judiciary, press freedom, the treatment of human rights activists, the plight of residents who have been asked to leave their land to make way for development projects and the treatment of prisoners.

“The main task would be to cast an impartial expert eye on the overall human rights situation in Cambodia and offer constructive advice to the Government to address the problems that exist with regard to the overall situaiton in the country,” he added.

“The aim would be to help the Government make democracy stronger and have greater respect for the rule of law by all branches of the State.

“That way we can nurture prosperity, long-lasting peace and the rule of law throughout the country.”