Rainsy Alleges Khmer Rouge Culture Still Pervades Cambodia

Although the Khmer Rouge no longer holds power, self exiled Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy alleged that the regime’s residue pervades Cambodian society and culture. He made these claims via Skype at the Choeung Ek Genocide Center – also known as the Killing Fields – yesterday.

The leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party made the comment during a ceremony to bless the spirits of those who died under the regime, which coincided with the 41st anniversary of the Khmer Rouge occupation of Phnom Penh.

Mr. Rainsy also addressed the so-called culture of dialogue during his speech, criticizing the ruling Cambodian People’s Party for displaying behavior reminiscent of the country’s totalitarian past.

“Dialogue does not mean just to say no, or to agree with other purposes or to abandon the opinions of any party or force to accept someone’s opinion by bullying, imprisoning, chopping...This is not a culture of dialogue,” Mr. Rainsy said. He added that in order to eliminate the culture of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia’s government would have to see leadership changes during the upcoming commune and national elections in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Korng Korm, a high-ranking opposition official and former Senate member, said the process of establishing democracy in Cambodia remains dulled by shadow of the Khmer Rouge. He cited the October beatings of opposition lawmakers, and the arrests and detention of others despite having parliamentary immunity, as part of his decision to resign from the Senate.

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