Cablegate: (C) Uighurs Move Again; Updates On Situation

VZCZCXRO9948
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHPF #0934 3520739
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 180739Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1469
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 1707
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L PHNOM PENH 000934

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, EAP/CM, DRL, PRM
GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2019
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV PHUM
SUBJECT: (C) UIGHURS MOVE AGAIN; UPDATES ON SITUATION

REF: PHNOM PENH 926 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Gregory F. Lawless for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)

1. (C) Officials from UNHCR confirmed that the group of 20
Uighurs relocated for a second time the evening of December
17, to a single-family dwelling rented by UNHCR. Cambodian
police officers are assisting in providing security at the
site; UNHCR said the officers have received explicit
protection instructions by senior members of the police
force. UNHCR also confirmed that Jesuit Refugee Services has
access to the new site and the applicants.

2. (C) The two Uighur adults who left the group on December
15 have not returned; UNHCR stated they have no new
information on the whereabouts of the two. (NOTE: Post will
meet with a contact from Jesuit Refugee Services the evening
of December 18 to solicit more information about the
circumstances of departure by the 2 Uighurs, as well as
details of personal histories of all members of the group.
END NOTE.)

3. (C) UNHCR received a note verbale December 18 from the
Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) Ministry of Foreign
Affairs stating that the Sub-Decree governing Cambodia's
implementation of UN Refugee Convention was finalized and
signed on December 17. This Sub-Decree refers to joint
UNHCR-RGC cooperation.

4. (C) The UNHCR's Mandarin interpreter arrived in Phnom
Penh from Bangkok on December 16 and has been standing by to
assist with the refugee status determination (RSD) interviews
for the few Uighurs who speak Mandarin. UNHCR is waiting for
RGC instructions to begin the RSD process.
LAWLESS

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