"While progress has been made in improving the environment in which the 2003 elections are being held, there remain significant obstacles," UN special representative for human rights in Cambodia, Peter Leuprecht, told reporters.

These were "establishing a level playing field for all political parties, a transparent electoral process and a political climate that is free from violence and intimidation," he said, noting some restrictions remained on freedom of expression and assembly.

The polls are to be contested mainly by Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party, the royalist FUNCINPEC party and opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP).

"I call on all participants in this election to help overcome these obstacles in order to move Cambodia a step closer to becoming a genuine, multi-party democracy," he said.

Nine political activists were killed in the first five days of official campaigning for the elections, which began June 26, according to a group of independent election monitors.

Human rights advocates claim between 11 and 18 members of the three parties have been killed since January, although authorities say the slayings were not politically motivated but due to personal disputes and robberies.

Election monitors fear pre-election violence could spiral and ruin the contest.

Leuprecht urged police and courts to prosecute criminals responsible for political crimes, noting that "no actions appear to have been taken against those responsible" for such crimes.

The envoy declined to offer his assessment of whether the polls were likely to be free and fair.

"In my report I have said that the 20002 commune elections were an improvement in comparison to the 1998 national elections, but (the government) needs to strengthen this position (ahead of the 2003 contest) to be credible, transparent and independent," he said.

Leuprecht's remarks came at the end of a nine-day visit aimed at updating a report on the human rights situation in Cambodia to present to the United Nations.

The envoy met with Hun Sen and other government and opposition leaders, the National Election Committee, non-government organisations and diplomats during his visit.

TERRA.WIRE