U.S. Ambassador Questions Cambodia’s Single-Party Parliament, Attacks on Dissent

[geovalin]

PHNOM PENH — 

The United States ambassador said he was urging the Cambodian government to accept diverse and dissenting points of view in the country, as the ruling party has launched a renewed campaign to target and jail government critics, activists, and journalists.

 

U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy spoke to VOA Khmer on Thursday, in which he said Cambodia’s democracy had deteriorated over the last three years.

 

The Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved in 2017, 118 of its senior members were banned from politics, and non-governmental organizations, activists, and journalists had been targeted in a three-year-long campaign that intensified this year.

 

“Is it good for the country that all of the seats in the legislature body are part of one single party? Or isn’t it better [to have] multiparty representatives?” Murphy said during the interview.

 

After the dissolution of the CNRP, the Cambodian People’s Party won all elected seats in the National Assembly and Senate and controls all commune councils across the country, but one in Banteay Meanchey province.

 

Murphy said Cambodia’s democratic rollback was a matter of “concern”, urging the government to cherish the “multi-party aspect” of the Constitution.

“My message is very consistent [to] the senior-most level of government here, we encourage you to do just the opposite: protect the rights of your citizens, encourage many voices, bring those voices in so that they can be part of the process. You will be stronger for it.”

 

In a report released on Friday, local rights group Licadho said human rights defenders were facing “threats, beatings, and legal action over their activism.” They highlighted how attacks on activists, journalists, and dissidents had intensified in the absence of political opposition.

 

Justice Ministry Spokesperson Chin Malin said the civil space for Cambodians was already “wide open,” and that there was a distinction between expressing dissenting views and criminal activity.

 

“But airing opposition voices does not mean you can violate the laws, violate other people’s rights, manipulate, exaggerate, incite to create violent unrest, or jeopardize social stability, national security, or public order,” Malin said.

 

In response to the ambassador’s remarks, Malin questioned Murphy’s “assessment methodology” and whether the diplomat put into consideration “the social and legal realities” of Cambodia.

 

Ambassador Murphy also talked about former opposition leader Kem Sokha’s treason trial, saying his acquittal was possible with an “independent judiciary.”

Murphy said that it was his job to protect the rights of “any American who is here,” in reference to exiled former CNRP leader Mu Sochua’s intention to return to the country next month to face conspiracy and incitement charges leveled against her and more than 130 former party members and supporters.

 

On December 17, the Cambodian government issued a letter from Prime Minister Hun Sen congratulating U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on his election.

Murphy was non-committal when asked if the incoming Biden administration would deal with Cambodia any differently, only to say that there would be consistency when it came to dealing with human rights and democracy.

 

https://www.voacambodia.com/a/us-ambassador-questions-cambodia-s-single-party-parliament-attacks-on-dissent-/5704595.html

[my friend I]

7 minutes ago, geovalin said:

The United States ambassador said he was urging the Singapore government to accept diverse and dissenting points of view in the country, as the ruling party has launched a renewed campaign to target and jail government critics, activists, and journalists.

EFA

[mackayae]

Why do we meddle with other people's affairs? It is none of our business.

 

Edited December 19, 2020 by mackayae

[Jeffr2]

On 12/19/2020 at 8:52 AM, mackayae said:

Why do we meddle with other people's affairs? It is none of our business.

 

Because we live in a global society and try to look after those who can't look after themselves.  To some, it is their business.  Congrats to them for helping others.

[Benmart]

On 12/19/2020 at 8:52 AM, mackayae said:

Why do we meddle with other people's affairs? It is none of our business.

 

Ignoring a festering boil until it squirts puss into your face, is a bit late to apply medication.

[RJRS1301]

On 12/19/2020 at 12:52 PM, mackayae said:

Why do we meddle with other people's affairs? It is none of our business.

 

Ignoring human rights is not an option.

Ambassadors have a role in their appoitments, and one of those is to represent their countries opinions .

Remember :" The stanard you walk past, is the standard you endorse"

 

Pity that current POTUS did not realise that. 

 

[Jeffr2]

12 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

Ignoring human rights is not an option.

Ambassadors have a role in their appoitments, and one of those is to represent their countries opinions .

Remember :" The stanard you walk past, is the standard you endorse"

 

Pity that current POTUS did not realise that. 

 

Pity that some don't care about the welfare of others.

[Venom]

1 hour ago, Benmart said:

Ignoring a festering boil until it squirts puss into your face, is a bit late to apply medication.

Just a bit late don't ya think? 

[J Town]

2 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Because we live in a global society and try to look after those who can't look after themselves.  To some, it is their business.  Congrats to them for helping others.

The trouble is it makes the US look like the biggest global hypocrites imaginable.

[Jeffr2]

6 minutes ago, J Town said:

The trouble is it makes the US look like the biggest global hypocrites imaginable.

To a certain degree yes, but the US Is hardly like Cambodia.  Impossible to make that comparison.

[J Town]

13 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

To a certain degree yes, but the US Is hardly like Cambodia.  Impossible to make that comparison.

And I beg to differ. The "freedoms" the US used to brag about are now merely lip service. That peaceful protesters get flash bombed and tear gassed without severe pushback is indicative of a democracy on the surface only. Trust me, the founding fathers are rolling in their graves.

 

Just watch an episode of "Cops" and observe the civil liberties that are crushed. Shows like this make it commonplace, acceptable in the back of US citizens' minds.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a US anarchist. There is still hope. The old guard is dying, the new progressives are gaining ground. I don't think we will see major change in our lifetimes, but this current government is unsustainable. It will either change to benefit the people or die out. You don't stab a fat hog in the a$$ and continue to ride on it.

Edited December 21, 2020 by J Town

[Jeffr2]

16 minutes ago, J Town said:

And I beg to differ. The "freedoms" the US used to brag about are now merely lip service. That peaceful protesters get flash bombed and tear gassed without severe pushback is indicative of a democracy on the surface only. Trust me, the founding fathers are rolling in their graves.

 

Just watch an episode of "Cops" and observe the civil liberties that are crushed. Shows like this make it commonplace, acceptable in the back of US citizens' minds.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a US anarchist. There is still hope. The old guard is dying, the new progressives are gaining ground. I don't think we will see major change in our lifetimes, but this current government is unsustainable. It will either change to benefit the people or die out. You don't stab a fat hog in the a$$ and continue to ride on it.

No arguments about what's going on in the US, but to compare Cambodia to the US is impossible.  In Cambodia, you'd never have the peaceful protests that are allowed in the US.  Nor the ones that turn violent.

[J Town]

2 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

No arguments about what's going on in the US, but to compare Cambodia to the US is impossible.  In Cambodia, you'd never have the peaceful protests that are allowed in the US.  Nor the ones that turn violent.

Then it's a matter of degree of oppression.

[Jeffr2]

9 minutes ago, J Town said:

Then it's a matter of degree of oppression.

This is a great indicator for me.

 

https://rsf.org/en/ranking

 

Cambodia is #144 out of 180 countries. US is 45.  Sorry, but no comparison.