(C) UIGHURS MOVE AGAIN; UPDATES ON SITUATION

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