AFP
The Cambodian government must immediately end its attacks on civil society members, rights activists, and political opposition figures and take effective steps to preserve political freedoms in the Southeast Asian country, a group of United Nations experts on human rights said on Thursday.
The U.N. appeal follows the jailing last week of five officers of the Cambodian rights group ADHOC on charges they had conspired to bribe a woman to deny she was a mistress of deputy leader Kem Sokha of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
Government handling of the case and prejudicial public statements by senior officials of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) suggest “that this entire episode is nothing more than a politically-motivated persecution of civil society,” the May 13 U.N. statement said.
“We urge the Cambodian authorities to ensure a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders and civil society, which play a critical role in holding the Government to account and bringing benefits of human rights to the whole of Cambodian society,” the statement said.
Government responds
Speaking in an interview with RFA’s Khmer Service on Friday, a government spokesman slammed the U.N. experts’ remarks as interference in the country’s affairs, saying that the U.N. itself should “learn” from Cambodia’s experience.
“I don't think that U.N. officials are capable of managing a country,” Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said.
“Look at the Middle East. There, the U.N. can only do things to try to ease tensions, but they have no experience in keeping the peace.”
The five ADHOC members were arrested only because they had broken the law, Phay Siphan said, adding, “Cambodia welcomes the contributions of NGOs in helping to develop the country."
'Tipping point'
Political tensions between the ruling CPP and the CNRP have grown worse in recent months, with the government arresting more than a dozen opposition lawmakers including Senator Hong Sok Hour, CNRP media director Meach Sovannara, and Um Sam An, an opposition member of parliament.
Cambodia’s contentious and at times violent political situation has pushed it “close to a dangerous tipping point,” the United Nations’ special human rights envoy to Cambodia said in March.
Rhona Smith, the U.N. special rapporteur to Cambodia on human rights, said that tensions driven by the rivalry between the two parties had grown worse since her last visit in September 2015.
“The political situation, which includes renewed threats, judicial proceedings, and even physical beatings of members of the opposition is worrying,” she said in a reference to the CPP’s crackdown on CNRP politicians and activists.
Reported by Sothearin Yeang for RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Richard Finney.
<<<Speaking in an interview with RFA’s Khmer Service on Friday, a government spokesman slammed the U.N. experts’ remarks as interference in the country’s affairs, saying that the U.N. itself should “learn” from Cambodia’s experience.
“I don't think that U.N. officials are capable of managing a country,” Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said.
“Look at the Middle East. There, the U.N. can only do things to try to ease tensions, but they have no experience in keeping the peace.”
The five ADHOC members were arrested only because they had broken the law, Phay Siphan said, adding, “Cambodia welcomes the contributions of NGOs in helping to develop the country.">>>
U.N should learn what from Cambodia? How to create trouble like you CPP thugs have been doing the last 30 years? Do you think without the U.N 1993 election would have been possible with you dogs in charge? What idiot!!
Oh yeah and ah chkar lonk toc managing the country very well, this is why forests are disappearing, people loss their farmland and innocent people thrown in prison for no good reasons.
What law have they broken? CPP's Law?
May 14, 2016 12:57 PM
