National Strength Party Asks Democratic Countries to Help Encourage Cambodian Government to Respect Human Rights and Democracy
The National Strength Party is asking the European Union, the United States, and Japan to help encourage the Cambodian government to respect human rights and democracy again, as political activists, human rights defenders, and environmental activists are currently being repeatedly detained and imprisoned by Cambodian authorities for political reasons. The request was made during a meeting between opposition party officials and embassy officials.
The National Strength Party said that after recent meetings to discuss the human rights and democracy situation in Cambodia with the countries of Serey, it hopes that the embassy officials will help monitor and urge the Cambodian government to open up political freedoms to the opposition party and release all political prisoners. National Strength Party advisor Rong Chhun told Radio Free Asia on January 15 that from January 13 to 15, he and National Strength Party members met with the US, European Union, and Japanese embassies to discuss the human rights and democracy situation in Cambodia. During the meeting, he raised the issue of harassment by relevant authorities against the Cambodian People’s Party, especially the party leader Sun Chanthy, who was banned from politics for life, and other members who were repeatedly accused and arrested. In addition, Mr. Rong Chhun also asked the European Union, the United States, and the Japanese Embassy to help urge the Cambodian government to restore democracy and release all political prisoners. He raised concerns that Cambodia is currently regressing in terms of democracy, with restrictions on freedoms and the increasing persecution of opposition officials, making it difficult for citizens, human rights defenders and environmental activists to participate in political, economic and social life.
Mr. Rong Chhun: “So we tell him that if this problem continues, it will be difficult to assess the election process in the future. The election process will only get better if, from now on, there is a smooth process and a better freedom of expression.”
Regarding this matter, Radio Free Asia was unable to contact representatives of the US, EU and Japanese embassies in Cambodia for further clarification on this matter on January 15. However, in a meeting with the National Force Party officials, the embassy representatives accepted the request of the National Force Party officials and expressed their position that they would continue to monitor the human rights and democracy issues in Cambodia more closely.
Radio Free Asia was unable to contact the head of the government spokesperson unit, Pen Poona, for a response on this matter on January 15, with calls going unanswered. Cambodian People’s Party spokesman Sok Eysan declined to comment on the matter. Observers have observed that the number of National Strength Party supporters has been steadily increasing in recent times, while the persecution by Phnom Penh authorities has also continued to increase. In fact, a court recently sentenced National Strength Party leader Sun Chanthy to two years in prison and banned him from politics for life. Several other officials were sued in court, and the office and headquarters of the National Strength Party in Meanchey District, Phnom Penh, was forced to be demolished after the owners were threatened by Phnom Penh authorities. Ny Sokha, president of the Human Rights Watch (ADHOC), told Radio Free Asia that the meeting between National Strength Party officials and officials from the US and European Union embassies was a good thing. He continued that currently, the human rights and democracy situation in Cambodia is getting worse, so it is very important that those embassies must push and encourage the Cambodian government to restore democracy. Mr. Ny Sokha: “I understand that at this time, all embassies should be more proactive and also participate in encouraging the Cambodian government to restore democracy and respect for human rights.”
Social and political observers say Prime Minister Hun Sen should stop the persecution of political activists, human rights defenders, land activists and environmental activists by restoring democracy. They say the persecution has brought Cambodia under intense international criticism and economic sanctions from Western countries, while the country is facing a severe economic crisis.