PHNOM PENH —
A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Interior left Cambodia for Australia Tuesday, but officials would not confirm whether they were going over a contentious refugee deal struck between the two countries last month.
The delegation was led by Sok Phal, who is the head of the immigration department at the ministry, but a spokesman said he was not going “specifically” to discuss the deal.
The agreement could bring in refugees currently held on the Micronesian island of Nauru to Cambodia.
However, rights groups have criticized the deal, saying it will tax Cambodia’s resources and flies against the spirit of international refugee conventions.