MP beaten by PM's bodyguards urges Australia to rethink refugee resettlement deal with Cambodia

[geovalin]

Opposition MP beaten by PM's bodyguards urges Australia to rethink refugee resettlement deal with Cambodia

By South East Asia correspondent Liam Cochrane in Phnom Penh.

Photo: Nhay Chamroeun points to where his eye socket was broken in an attack. (Supplied)

A Cambodian refugee who returned to his country and became an MP and was then beaten by the Prime Minister's bodyguards says Australia should think twice about sending over refugees from Nauru.

Key points:

• Former refugee says Cambodia offers no sanctuary for refugees
• Australia gave Cambodia $40 million as part of a refugee resettlement deal
• HRW finds links between attacks, violence and senior officials

In October, Nhay Chamroeun and Kung Sophea were dragged from their cars and repeatedly kicked by a mob outside the National Assembly — both are MPs with the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party.

Footage of the sustained assault showed dozens of bystanders, some with walkie talkies.

"It was so unexpected and cruel," Mr Chamroeun told the ABC.

"My wrist was broken ... all the front teeth broken, nose broken, and also eye socket's broken ... and also multiple chest injuries and ribs as well."

Three men handed themselves in to police claiming they initiated the attack because the MPs insulted them — a claim not supported by witnesses or the video footage of the incident.

Despite initial denials from authorities, all three confirmed in court they were members of the Prime Minister's bodyguard unit.

On Friday, they were sentenced to four years in prison for the attacks, with three years suspended.

Due to time spent in pre-trial detention they could walk free in five months.

"These three guys are going to take the fall," Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's (HRW) Asia division, said.

"The real story is this was a coordinated attack ... it was quite clear that the bodyguard unit of the Prime Minister played a central role."

read more http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-28/cambodian-refugee-politician-urges-australia-rethink-refugees/7455592

[rabid dog]

hope they sent him the bill, these beating dont come cheap you know. all these NGO types lining up for their turn, it hard to find enough willing beaters to get the job done

Edited May 28, 2016 by rabid dog

[thairay]

have a deal with turkey...