Hun Sen: "if you are rude, the court will summon you"

Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander, is well known
for his ruthlessness - a behavior often adopted by Khmer Rouge cadres.

Cambodian PM again attacks foreign critics of defamation arrests

Agence France Presse

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen hit out again at foreign opponents of a spate of defamation arrests, saying he had the right to protect himself against his critics.

His outburst at a university graduation ceremony came days after the US Senate passed a resolution demanding his government "immediately cease and desist from its systematic campaign to undermine democracy, the rule of law, and human rights".

"Every person has the right to ask the law to protect him when he is defamed," Hun Sen said.

"Please outsider, before you talk, please see the law clearly."

Defamation is a criminal offense in Cambodia but there have been calls for this to be changed.

The United States has been the most vocal foreign critic of recent defamation arrests in Cambodia, which Washington says is a bid by the government to crush dissent.

The senate resolution includes a long list of incidents which allegedly show Hun Sen "blatantly violated basic democratic principles", including the jailing of opposition lawmaker Cheam Channy for seven years and the assassination of labour leader Chea Vichea.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Senator Mitch McConnell who has called for a regime change in Cambodia and Myanmar, also makes mention of the arrests of several key democracy advocates that sparked this latest round of sparring between Hun Sen and the international community.

The premier last week ordered defamation charges to be dropped against Kem Sokha and Pa Nguon Teang of the US-backed Cambodian Center for Human Rights, as well as journalist Mam Sonando and union boss Rong Chhun.

All had been arrested for their opposition to a border agreement with Vietnam that critics say cedes too much territory to Cambodia's eastern neighbour.

The surprise move drew praise from the US and United Nations, but a Cambodian judge and even the government's lawyers said last week investigations continue and the cases will not be dismissed.

In an apparent warning to his critics, who were released on bail earlier in January, the premier said Monday defamation trials could go forward if the row continues.

"My suggestion is to ... just postpone (court proceedings) to keep the situation quiet," he said.

"Just let things go quietly, but if you are rude, the court will summon you, so there will be another problem."