Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and
International Security
The Government of Cambodia under Prime Minister Hun Sen appears to be fundamentally threatening the future of Cambodia’s fragile democracy
The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and the United Nations have all expressed total condemnation of the actions of Hun Sen.
By contrast Alexander Downer and the Australian Government have remained silent.
Last month Cambodian Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy was sentenced in absentia for criminal defamation. He is now due to serve 18 months in prison.
Since then numerous human rights groups have effectively acted as the opposition in Cambodia and as a result have been targeted by Hun Sen and his Government. Arrests of prominent human rights campaigners include:
- On 31 December Cambodia’s leading human rights activist Kem Sokha was charged with criminal defamation.
- On the same day high profile human rights activist Yeng Virak was arrested.
- Last week saw the arrest of yet another human rights campaigner, Pa Nguon.
These arrests come after the October arrests of high profile unionist Rong Chhum and journalist Mom Sonando who were both arrested on defamation charges. Several other human rights leaders face criminal charges.
World leaders have been quick to condemn the actions of Hun Sen. The United States through Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli has said “Cambodia right now is at a crossroads: It must decide whether it's going to be a real democracy or whether it's going to move inexorably toward a one-party state”.United Nations special envoy to Cambodia Yash Ghai said decisive action from other countries is needed to halt the actions of Hun Sen. He said of the current situation: "It has all the hallmarks of the beginning of a totalitarian regime.”
In the early 1990s Australia under the leadership of Gareth Evans spearheaded the United Nations effort to rebuild Cambodia and establish free elections.
But after 10 years with Alexander Downer as Foreign Minister, it appears Cambodia is now being swept under the carpet by Australia.
This is despite his own Department saying of Cambodia: “Corruption and poor governance are major constraints to development” while Mr Downer himself has been publicly silent on these most recent actions taken by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Mr Downer appears to be washing his hands of the future of Cambodia’s democracy while the western world is taking public political action in protest against the recent decisions by the Government of Cambodia.
And still Mr Downer spends his time providing public sermons on the future of democracy in Iraq while remaining silent on the future this fragile democracy here in our own region.
Ends. 10 January 2006
Media contact: Alister Jordan 0417 605 823
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