Paris Peace Agreement
Paris,
October 23, 1991
Annex 1 UNTAC Mandate
Section A General Procedures
- In accordance with Article 6
of the Agreement, UNTAC will exercise the powers necessary to ensure the
implementation of this Agreement, including those relating to the
organisation and conduct of free and fair elections and the relevant
aspects of the administration of Cambodia.
- The following mechanism will
be used to resolve all issues relating to the implementation of this
Agreement which may arise between the Secretary-General's Special
Representative and the Supreme National Council (SNC):
a) The SNC offers advice to UNTAC, which will comply with this advice
provided there is a consensus among the members of the SNC and provided
this advice is consistent with the objectives of the present Agreement;
b) If there is no consensus among the members of the SNC despite every
endeavour of its President, H.R.H. Samdech Norodom Sihanouk, the President
will be entitled to make the decision on what advice to offer to UNTAC,
taking fully into account the views expressed in the SNC. UNTAC will
comply with the advice provided it is consistent with the objectives of
the present Agreement;
c) If H.R.H. Samdech Norodom Sihanouk, President of the SNC, the
legitimate representative of Cambodian sovereignty, is not, for whatever
reason, in a position to make such a decision, his power of decision will
transfer to the Secretary-General's Special Representative. The Special
Representative will make the final decision, taking fully into account the
views expressed in the SNC;
d) Any power to act regarding the implementation of this Agreement
conferred upon the SNC by the Agreement will be exercised by consensus or,
failing such consensus, by its President in accordance with the procedure
set out above. In the event that H.R.H. Samdech Norodom Sihanouk,
President of the SNC, the legitimate representative of Cambodian
sovereignty, is not, for whatever reason, in a position to act, his power
to act will transfer to the Secretary-General's Special Representative,
who may take the necessary action;
e) In all cases, the Secretary-General's Special Representative will
determine whether advice or action of the SNC is consistent with the
present Agreement.
- The Secretary-General's
Special Representative or his delegate will attend the meetings of the SNC
and of any subsidiary body which might be established by it and give its
members all necessary information on the decisions taken by UNTAC.
Section B Civil Administration
- In accordance with Article 6
of the Agreement, all administrative agencies, bodies and offices acting
in the field of foreign affairs, national defence, finance, public
security and information will be placed under the direct control of UNTAC,
which will exercise it as necessary to ensure strict neutrality. In this
respect, the Secretary-General's Special Representative will determine
what is necessary and may issue directives to the above-mentioned
administrative agencies, bodies and offices. Such directives may be issued
to and will bind all Cambodian Parties.
- In accordance with Article 6
of the Agreement, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, in
consultation with the SNC, will determine which other administrative
agencies, bodies and offices could directly influence the outcome of
elections. These administrative agencies, bodies and offices will be
placed under direct supervision or control of UNTAC and will comply with
any guidance provided by it.
- In accordance with Article 6
of the Agreement, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, in
consultation with the SNC, will identify which administrative agencies,
bodies and offices could continue to operate in order to ensure normal
day-to-day life in Cambodia, if necessary, under such supervision by UNTAC
as it considers necessary.
- In accordance with Article 6
of the Agreement, the authority of the Secretary-General's Special
Representative will include the power to:
a) Install in administrative agencies, bodies and offices of all the
Cambodian Parties United Nations personnel, who will have unrestricted
access to all administrative operations and information;
b) Require the reassignment or removal of any personnel of such
administrative agencies, bodies and offices.
- a) On the basis of the
information provided in Article I, paragraph 3, of annex 2, the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General will determine, after consultation
with the Cambodian Parties, those civil police necessary to perform law
enforcement in Cambodia. All Cambodian Parties hereby undertake to comply
with the determination made by the Special Representative in this regard;
b) All civil police will operate under UNTAC supervision or control, in
order to ensure that law and order are maintained effectively and
impartially, and that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully
protected. In consultation with the SNC, UNTAC will supervise other law
enforcement and judicial processes throughout Cambodia to the extent
necessary to ensure the attainment of these objectives.
- If the Secretary-General's
Special Representative deems it necessary, UNTAC, in consultation with the
SNC, will undertake investigations of complaints and allegations regarding
actions by the existing administrative structures in Cambodia that are
inconsistent with or work against the objectives of this comprehensive
political settlement. UNTAC will also be empowered to undertake such
investigation on its own initiative. UNTAC will take, when necessary,
appropriate corrective steps.
Section C Military Functions
- UNTAC will supervise,
monitor and verify the withdrawal of foreign forces, the ceasefire and
related measures in accordance with annex 2, including:
a) Verification of the withdrawal from Cambodia of all categories of
foreign forces, advisers and military personnel and their weapons,
ammunition and equipment, and their non-return to Cambodia
b) Liaison with neighbouring Governments over any developments in or near
their territory that could endanger the implementation of this Agreement;
c) Monitoring the cessation of outside military assistance to all
Cambodian Parties;
d) Locating and confiscating caches of weapons and military supplies
throughout the country;
e) Assisting with clearing mines and undertaking training programmes in
mine clearance and a mine awareness programme among the Cambodian people.
- UNTAC will supervise the
regrouping and relocating of all forces to specifically designated
cantonment areas on the basis of an operational timetable to be agreed
upon, in accordance with annex 2.
- As the forces enter the
cantonments, UNTAC will initiate the process of arms control and reduction
specified in annex 2.
- UNTAC will take necessary
steps regarding the phased process of demobilisation of the military
forces of the parties, in accordance with annex 2.
- UNTAC will assist, as
necessary, the International Committee of the Red Cross in the release of
all prisoners of war and civilian internees.
Section D Elections
- UNTAC will organise and
conduct the election referred to in Part II of this Agreement in
accordance with this section and annex 3.
- UNTAC may consult with the
SNC regarding the organisation and conduct of the electoral process.
- In the exercise of its
responsibilities in relation to the electoral process, the specific
authority of UNTAC will include the following:
a) The establishment, in consultation with the SNC, of a system of laws,
procedures and administrative measures necessary for the holding of a free
and fair election in Cambodia, including the adoption of an electoral law
and of a code of conduct regulating participation in the election in a
manner consistent with respect for human rights and prohibiting coercion
or financial inducement in order to influence voter preference;
b) The suspension or abrogation, in consultation with the SNC, of
provisions of existing laws which could defeat the objects and purposes of
this Agreement;
c) The design and implementation of a voter education programme, covering
all aspects of the election, to support the election process;
d) The design and implementation of a system of voter registration, as a
first phase of the electoral process, to ensure that eligible voters have
the opportunity to register, and the subsequent preparation of verified
voter registration lists;
e) The design and implementation of a system of registration of political
parties and lists of candidates;
f) Ensuring fair access to the media, including press, television and
radio, for all political parties contesting in the election;
g) The adoption and implementation of measures to monitor and facilitate
the participation of Cambodians in the elections, the political campaign
and the balloting procedures;
h) The design and implementation of a system of balloting and polling, to
ensure that registered voters have the opportunity to vote;
i) The establishment, in consultation with the SNC, of co-ordinated
arrangements to facilitate the presence of foreign observers wishing to
observe the campaign and voting;
j) Overall direction of polling and the vote count;
k) The identification and investigation of complaints of electoral
irregularities, and the taking of appropriate corrective action;
l) Determining whether or not the election was free and fair and, if so,
certification of the list of persons duly elected.
- In carrying out its
responsibilities under the present section, UNTAC will establish a system
of safeguards to assist it in ensuring the absence of fraud during the
electoral process, including arrangements for Cambodian representatives to
observe the registration and polling procedures and the provision of an
UNTAC mechanism for hearing and deciding complaints.
- The timetable for the various
phases of the electoral process will be determined by UNTAC, in
consultation with the SNC as provided in paragraph 2 of this section. The
duration of the electoral process will not exceed nine months from the
commencement of voter registration.
- In organising and conducting
the electoral process, UNTAC will make every effort to ensure that the
system and procedures adopted are absolutely impartial, while the
operational arrangements are as administratively simple and efficient as
possible.
Section E Human Rights
In accordance with Article 16, UNTAC will make provisions for:
a) The development and
implementation of a programme of human rights education to promote respect for
and understanding of human rights;
b) General human rights oversight
during the transitional period;
c) The
investigation of human rights complaints, and, where appropriate, corrective
action.
Annex 2 Withdrawal, Ceasefire and Related Measures
Article I Ceasefire
- All Cambodian Parties
(hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”) agree to observe a
comprehensive ceasefire on land and water and in the air. This ceasefire
will be implemented in two phases. During the first phase, the ceasefire
will be observed with the assistance of the Secretary-General of the
United Nations through his good offices. During the second phase, which
should commence as soon as possible, the ceasefire will be supervised,
monitored and verified by UNTAC. The Commander of the military component
of UNTAC, in consultation with the Parties, shall determine the exact time
and date at which the second phase will commence. This date will be set at
least four weeks in advance of its coming into effect.
- The Parties undertake that,
upon the signing of this Agreement, they will observe a ceasefire and will
order their armed forces immediately to disengage and refrain from all
hostilities and any deployment, movement or action that would extend the
territory they control or that might lead to a resumption of fighting,
pending the commencement of the second phase. “Forces” are agreed to
include all regular, provincial, district, paramilitary and other
auxiliary forces.
During the first phase, the Secretary-General of the United Nations will
provide his good offices to the Parties to assist them in its observance.
The Parties undertake to co-operate with the Secretary-General or his
representatives in the exercise of his good offices in this regard.
- The Parties agree that,
immediately upon the signing of this Agreement, the following information
will be provided to the United Nations:
a) Total strength of their forces, organisation, precise number and
location of deployments inside and outside Cambodia. The deployment will
be depicted on a map marked with locations of all troop positions,
occupied or unoccupied, including staging camps, supply bases and supply
routes;
b) Comprehensive lists of arms, ammunition and equipment held by their
forces, and the exact locations at which those arms, ammunition and
equipment are deployed;
c) Detailed record of their minefields, including types and
characteristics of mines laid and information of booby traps used by them
together with any information available to them about minefields laid or
booby traps used by the other Parties;
d) Total strength of their police forces, organisation, precise numbers
and locations of deployments as well as comprehensive lists of their arms,
ammunition and equipment and the exact locations at which those arms,
ammunition and equipment are deployed.
- Immediately upon his arrival
in Cambodia, and not later than four weeks before the beginning of the
second phase, the Commander of the military component of UNTAC will, in
consultation with the Parties, finalise UNTAC's plan for the regroupment
and cantonment of the forces of the Parties and for the storage of their
arms, ammunition and equipment, in accordance with Article Ill of this
annex. This plan will include the designation of regroupment and
cantonment areas, as well as an agreed timetable. The cantonment areas
will be established at battalion size or larger.
- The Parties agree to take
steps to inform their forces at least two weeks before the beginning of
the second phase, using all possible means of communication, about the
agreed date and time of the beginning of the second phase, about the
agreed plan for the regroupment and cantonment of their forces and for the
storage of their arms, ammunition and equipment and, in particular, about
the exact locations of the regroupment areas to which their forces are to
report. Such information will continue to be disseminated for a period of
four weeks after the beginning of the second phase.
- The Parties shall
scrupulously observe the ceasefire and will not resume any hostilities by
land, water or air. The commanders of their armed forces will ensure that
all troops under their command remain on their respective positions,
pending their movement to the designated regroupment areas, and refrain
from all hostilities and from any deployment or movement or action which
would extend the territory they control or which might lead to a
resumption of fighting.
Article II Liaison System and Mixed Military
Working Group
A Mixed Military Working Group (MMWG) will be established with a view to
resolving any problems that may arise in the observance of the ceasefire. It
will be chaired by the most senior United Nations military officer in Cambodia
or his representative. Each Party agrees to designate an officer of the rank of
brigadier or equivalent to serve on the MMWG. Its composition, method of
operation and meeting places will be determined by the most senior United
Nations military officer in consultation with the Parties. Similar liaison
arrangements will be made at lower military command levels to resolve practical
problems on the ground.
Article III Regroupment and cantonment of the
forces of the Parties and storage of their arms, ammunition and equipment
- In accordance with the
operational timetable referred to in paragraph 4 of Article I of the
present annex, all forces of the Parties that are not already in
designated cantonment areas will report to designated regroupment areas,
which will be established and operated by the military component of UNTAC.
These regroupment areas will be established and operational not later than
one week prior to the date of the beginning of the second phase. The
Parties agree to arrange for all their forces, with all their arms,
ammunition and equipment, to report to regroupment areas within two weeks
after the beginning of the second phase. All personnel who have reported
to the regroupment areas will thereafter be escorted by personnel of the
military component of UNTAC, with their arms, ammunition and equipment, to
designated cantonment areas. All Parties agree to ensure that personnel
reporting to the regroupment areas will be able to do so in full safety
and without any hindrance.
- On the basis of the
information provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article I of the
present annex, UNTAC will confirm that the regroupment and cantonment
processes have been completed in accordance with the plan referred to in
paragraph 4 of Article I of this annex. UNTAC will endeavour to complete
these processes within four weeks from the date of the beginning of the
second phase. On the completion of regroupment of all forces and of their
movement to cantonment areas, respectively, the Commander of the military
component of UNTAC will so inform each of the four Parties.
- The Parties agree that, as
their forces enter the designated cantonment areas, their personnel will
be instructed by their commanders to immediately hand over all their arms,
ammunition and equipment to UNTAC for storage in the custody of UNTAC.
- UNTAC will check the arms,
ammunition and equipment handed over to it against the lists referred to
in paragraph 3. b) of Article I of this annex, in order to verify that all
the arms, ammunition and equipment in the possession of the Parties have
been placed under its custody.
Article IV Resupply of forces during cantonment
The military component of UNTAC will supervise the resupply of all forces of
the Parties during the regroupment and cantonment processes. Such resupply will
be confined to items of a non-lethal nature such as food, water, clothing and
medical supplies as well as provision of medical care.
Article V Ultimate disposition of the forces of the Parties and of their arms,
ammunition and equipment
- In order to reinforce the
objectives of a comprehensive political settlement, minimise the risks of
a return to warfare, stabilise the security situation and build confidence
among the Parties to the conflict, all Parties agree to undertake a phased
and balanced process of demobilisation of at least 70 per cent of their
military forces. This process shall be undertaken in accordance with a
detailed plan to be drawn up by UNTAC on the basis of the information
provided under Article I of this annex and in consultation with the
Parties. It should be completed prior to the end of the process of
registration for the elections and on a date to be determined by the
Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
- The Cambodian Parties hereby
commit themselves to demobilise all their remaining forces before or
shortly after the elections and, to the extent that full demobilisation is
unattainable, to respect and abide by whatever decision the newly elected
government that emerges in accordance with Article 12 of this Agreement
takes with regard to the incorporation of parts or all of those forces
into a new national army. Upon completion of the demobilisation referred
to in paragraph 1, the Cambodian Parties and the Special Representative of
the Secretary-General shall undertake a review regarding the final
disposition of the forces remaining in the cantonments, with a view to
determining which of the following shall apply:
a) If the Parties agree to proceed with the demobilisation of all or some
of the forces remaining in the cantonments, preferably prior to or
otherwise shortly after the elections, the Special Representative shall
prepare a timetable for so doing, in consultation with them;
b) Should total demobilisation of all of the residual forces before or
shortly after the elections not be possible, the Parties hereby undertake
to make available all of their forces remaining in cantonments to the
newly elected government that emerges in accordance with Article 12 of
this Agreement, for consideration for incorporation into a new national
army. They further agree that any such forces which are not incorporated
into the new national army will be demobilised forthwith according to a
plan to be prepared by the Special Representative. With regard to the
ultimate disposition of the remaining forces and all the arms, ammunition
and equipment, UNTAC, as it withdraws from Cambodia, shall retain such
authority as is necessary to ensure an orderly transfer to the newly
elected government of those responsibilities it has exercised during the
transitional period.
- UNTAC will assist, as
required, with the reintegration into civilian life of the forces
demobilised prior to the elections.
- a) UNTAC will control and
guard all the arms, ammunition and equipment of the Parties throughout the
transitional period;
b) As the cantoned forces are demobilised in accordance with paragraph 1
above, there will be a parallel reduction by UNTAC of the arms, ammunition
and equipment stored on site in the cantonment areas. For the forces
remaining in the cantonment areas, access to their arms, ammunition and
equipment shall only be on the basis of the explicit authorisation of the
Special Representative of the Secretary-General;
c) If there is a further demobilisation of the military forces in
accordance with paragraph 2. a) above, there will be a commensurate
reduction by UNTAC of the arms, ammunition and equipment stored on site in
the cantonment areas;
d) The ultimate disposition of all arms, ammunition and equipment will be
determined by the government that emerges through the free and fair
elections in accordance with Article 12 of this Agreement.
Article VI Verification of withdrawal from
Cambodia and non-return of all categories of foreign forces
- UNTAC shall be provided, no
later than two weeks before the commencement of the second phase of the ceasefire,
with detailed information in writing regarding the withdrawal of foreign
forces. This information shall include the following elements:
a) Total strength of these forces and their organisation and deployment;
b) Comprehensive lists of arms, ammunition and equipment held by these
forces, and their exact locations;
c) Withdrawal plan (already implemented or to be implemented), including
withdrawal routes, border crossing points and time of departure from
Cambodia.
- On the basis of the
information provided in accordance with paragraph 1 above, UNTAC will
undertake an investigation in the manner it deems appropriate. The Party
providing the information will be required to make personnel available to
accompany UNTAC investigators.
- Upon confirmation of the
presence of any foreign forces, UNTAC will immediately deploy military
personnel with the foreign forces and accompany them until they have
withdrawn from Cambodian territory. UNTAC will also establish checkpoints
on withdrawal routes, border crossing points and airfields to verify the
withdrawal and ensure the non-return of all categories of foreign forces.
- The Mixed Military Working
Group (MMWG) provided for in Article II of this annex will assist UNTAC in
fulfilling the above-mentioned tasks.
Article VII Cessation of outside military
assistance to all Cambodian Parties
- All Parties undertake, from
the time of the signing of this Agreement, not to obtain or seek any
outside military assistance, including weapons, ammunition and military
equipment from outside sources.
- The Signatories whose
territory is adjacent to Cambodia, namely, the Governments of the Lao
People's Democratic Republic, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist
Republic of Viet Nam, undertake to:
a) Prevent the territories of their respective States, including land
territory, territorial sea and air space, from being used for the purpose
of providing any form of military assistance to any of the Cambodian
Parties. Resupply of such items as food, water, clothing and medical supplies
through their territories will be allowed, but shall, without prejudice to
the provisions of sub-paragraph c) below, be subject to UNTAC supervision
upon arrival in Cambodia;
b) Provide written confirmation to the Commander of the military component
of UNTAC, not later than four weeks after the second phase of the
ceasefire begins, that no forces, arms, ammunition or military equipment
of any of the Cambodian Parties are present on their territories;
c) Receive an UNTAC liaison officer in each of their capitals and
designate an officer of the rank of colonel or equivalent, not later than
four weeks after the beginning of the second phase of the ceasefire, in
order to assist UNTAC in investigating, with due respect for their
sovereignty, any complaints that activities are taking place on their
territories that are contrary to the provisions of the comprehensive
political settlement.
- To enable UNTAC to monitor
the cessation of outside assistance to all Cambodian Parties, the Parties
agree that, upon signature of this Agreement, they will provide to UNTAC
any information available to them about the routes and means by which
military assistance, including weapons, ammunition and military equipment,
have been supplied to any of the Parties. Immediately after the second
phase of the ceasefire begins, UNTAC will take the following practical
measures:
a) Establish checkpoints along the routes and at selected locations along
the Cambodian side of the border and at airfields inside Cambodia;
b) Patrol the coastal and inland waterways of Cambodia;
c) Maintain mobile teams at strategic locations within Cambodia to patrol
and investigate allegations of supply of arms to any of the Parties.
Article VIII Caches of weapons and military
supplies
- In order to stabilise the
security situation, build confidence and reduce arms and military supplies
throughout Cambodia, each Party agrees to provide to the Commander of the
military component of UNTAC, before a date to be determined by him, all
information at its disposal, including marked maps, about known or
Suspected caches of weapons and military supplies throughout Cambodia.
- On the basis of information
received, the military component of UNTAC shall, after the date referred
to in paragraph 1, deploy verification teams to investigate each report
and destroy each cache found.
Article IX Unexploded ordnance devices
- Soon after arrival in
Cambodia, the military component of UNTAC shall ensure, as a first step,
that all known minefields are clearly marked.
- The Parties agree that,
after completion of the regroupment and cantonment processes in accordance
with Article Ill of the present annex, they will make available
mine-clearing teams which, under the supervision and control of UNTAC
military personnel, will leave the cantonment areas in order to assist in
removing, disarming or deactivating remaining unexploded ordnance devices.
Those mines or objects which cannot be removed, disarmed or deactivated
will be clearly marked in accordance with a system to be devised by the military
component of UNTAC.
- UNTAC shall:
a) Conduct a mass public education programme in the recognition and
avoidance of explosive devices;
b) Train Cambodian volunteers to dispose of unexploded ordnance devices;
c) Provide emergency first-aid training to Cambodian volunteers.
Article X Investigation of violations
- After the beginning of the
second phase, upon receipt of any information or complaint from one of the
Parties relating to a possible case of non-compliance with any of the
provisions of the present annex or related provisions, UNTAC will
undertake an investigation in the manner which it deems appropriate. Where
the investigation takes place in response to a complaint by one of the
Parties, that Party will be required to make personnel available to
accompany the UNTAC investigators. The results of such investigation will
be conveyed by UNTAC to the complaining Party and the Party complained
against, and if necessary to the SNC.
- UNTAC will also carry out
investigations on its own initiative in other cases when it has reason to
believe or suspect that a violation of this annex or related provisions
may be taking place.
Article XI Release of prisoners of war
The military component of UNTAC will provide assistance as required to the
International Committee of the Red Cross in the latter's discharge of its
functions relating to the release of prisoners of war.
Article XII Repatriation and resettlement of
displaced Cambodians
The military component of UNTAC will provide assistance as necessary in the
repatriation of Cambodian refugees and displaced persons carried out in
accordance with Articles 19 and 20 of this Agreement, in particular in the
clearing of mines from repatriation routes, reception centres and resettlement
areas, as well as in the protection of the reception centres.
Annex 3 Elections
- The constituent assembly
referred to in Article 12 of the Agreement shall consist of 120 members.
Within three months from the date of the election, it shall complete its
tasks of drafting and adopting a new Cambodian Constitution and transform
itself into a legislative assembly which will form a new Cambodian
Government.
- The election referred to in
Article 12 of the Agreement will be held throughout Cambodia on a
provincial basis in accordance with a system of proportional
representation on the basis of lists of candidates put forward by
political parties.
- All Cambodians, including
those who at the time of signature of this Agreement are Cambodian
refugees and displaced persons, will have the same rights, freedoms and
opportunities to take part in the electoral process.
- Every person who has reached
the age of eighteen at the time of application to register; or who turns
eighteen during the registration period, and who either was born in
Cambodia or is the child of a person born in Cambodia, will be eligible to
vote in the election.
- Political parties may be
formed by any group of five thousand registered voters. Party platforms
shall be consistent with the principles and objectives of the Agreement on
a comprehensive political settlement.
- Party affiliation will be
required in order to stand for election to the constituent assembly.
Political parties will present lists of candidates standing for election
on their behalf, who will be registered voters.
- Political parties and
candidates will be registered in order to stand for election. UNTAC will
confirm that political parties and candidates meet the established
criteria in order to qualify for participation in the election. Adherence
to a Code of Conduct established by UNTAC in consultation with the SNC
will be a condition for such participation.
- Voting will be by secret
ballot, with provision made to assist those who are disabled or who cannot
read or write.
- The freedoms of speech,
assembly and movement will be fully respected. All registered political
parties will enjoy fair access to the media, including the press,
television and radio.
Annex 4 Repatriation of Cambodian Refugees and Displaced Persons
Part I Introduction
- As part of the comprehensive
political settlement, every assistance will need to be given to Cambodian
refugees and displaced persons as well as to countries of temporary refuge
and the country of origin in order to facilitate the voluntary return of
all Cambodian refugees and displaced persons in a peaceful and orderly
manner. It must also be ensured that there would be no residual problems
for the countries of temporary refuge. The country of origin with
responsibility towards its own people will accept their return as
conditions become conducive.
Part II Conditions Conducive to the Return of
Refugees and Displaced Persons
- The task of rebuilding the
Cambodian nation will require the harnessing of all its human and natural
resources. To this end, the return to the place of their choice of
Cambodians from their temporary refuge and elsewhere outside their country
of origin will make a major contribution.
- Every effort should be made
to ensure that the conditions which have led to a large number of
Cambodian refugees and displaced persons seeking refuge in other countries
should not recur. Nevertheless, some Cambodian refugees and displaced
persons will wish and be able to return spontaneously to their homeland.
- There must be full respect
for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cambodians, including
those of the repatriated refugees and displaced persons, in recognition of
their entitlement to live in peace and security, free from intimidation
and coercion of any kind. These rights would include, inter alia, freedom
of movement within Cambodia, the choice of domicile and employment, and
the right to property.
- In accordance with the
comprehensive political settlement, every effort should be made to create
concurrently in Cambodia political, economic and social conditions conducive
to the return and harmonious integration of the Cambodian refugees and
displaced persons.
- With a view to ensuring that
refugees and displaced persons participate in the elections, mass
repatriation should commence and be completed as soon as possible, taking
into account all the political, humanitarian, logistical, technical and
socio-economic factors involved, and with the co-operation of the SNC.
- Repatriation of Cambodian
refugees and displaced persons should be voluntary and their decision should
be taken in full possession of the facts. Choice of destination within
Cambodia should be that of the individual. The unity of the family must be
preserved.
Part III Operational Factors
- Consistent with respect for
principles of national sovereignty in the countries of temporary refuge
and origin, and in close co-operation with the countries of temporary
refuge and origin, full access by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), CRC and other relevant international
agencies should be guaranteed to all Cambodian refugees and displaced
persons, with a view to the agencies undertaking the census, tracing,
medical assistance, food distribution and other activities vital to the
discharge of their mandate and operational responsibilities; such access
should also be provided in Cambodia to enable the relevant international
organisations to carry out their traditional monitoring as well as
operational responsibilities.
- In the context of the
comprehensive political settlement, the Signatories note with satisfaction
that the Secretary-General of the United Nations has entrusted UNHCR with
the role of leadership and co-ordination among intergovernmental agencies
assisting with the repatriation and relief of Cambodian refugees and displaced
persons. The Signatories look to all non-governmental organisations to
co-ordinate as much as possible their work for the Cambodian refugees and
displaced persons with that of UNHCR.
- The SNC, the Governments of
the countries in which the Cambodian refugees and displaced persons have
sought temporary refuge, and the countries which contribute to the
repatriation and integration effort will wish to monitor closely and
facilitate the repatriation of the returnees. An ad hoc consultative body
should be established for a limited term for these purposes. The UNHCR,
the ICRC, and other international agencies as appropriate, as well as
UNTAC, would be invited to join as full participants.
- Adequately monitored
short-term repatriation assistance should be provided on an impartial
basis to enable the families and individuals returning to Cambodia to
establish their lives and livelihoods harmoniously in their society. These
interim measures would be phased out and replaced in the longer term by
the reconstruction programme.
- Those responsible for
organising and supervising the repatriation operation will need to ensure
that conditions of security are created for the movement of the refugees
and displaced persons. In this respect, it is imperative that appropriate border
crossing points and routes be designated and cleared of mines and other
hazards.
- The international community
should contribute generously to the financial requirements of the
repatriation operation.
Annex 5 Principles for a New Constitution for Cambodia
- The constitution will be the
supreme law of the land. It may be amended only by a designated process
involving legislative approval, popular referendum, or both.
- Cambodia's tragic recent
history requires special measures to assure protection of human rights.
Therefore, the constitution will contain a declaration of fundamental
rights, including the rights to life, personal liberty, security, freedom
of movement, freedom of religion, assembly and association including
political parties and trade unions, due process and equality before the
law, protection from arbitrary deprivation of property or deprivation of
private property without just compensation, and freedom from racial,
ethnic, religious or sexual discrimination. It will prohibit the retroactive
application of criminal law. The declaration will be consistent with the
provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant
international instruments. Aggrieved individuals will be entitled to have
the courts adjudicate and enforce these rights.
- The constitution will
declare Cambodia's status as a sovereign, independent and neutral State,
and the national unity of Cambodian people.
- The constitution will state
that Cambodia will follow a system of liberal democracy, on the basis of
pluralism. It will provide for periodic and genuine elections. It will
provide for the right to vote and to be elected by universal and equal
suffrage. It will provide for voting by secret ballot, with a requirement
that electoral procedures provide a full and fair opportunity to organise
and participate in the electoral process.
- An independent judiciary
will be established, empowered to enforce the rights provided under the
constitution.
- The constitution will be
adopted by a two-thirds majority of the members of the constituent
assembly.