Reporters without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is extremely concerned about death threats made against TV journalist Soy Sopheap after he made revelations on air about accusations of corruption against officials and members of the military.
An anonymous letter was left on 8 September 2006 in front of a Phnom Penh bar habitually frequented by the city’s journalists. "I’ve had it in for you for a long time, dirty Soy Sopheap," the letter read. "Watch out for yourself when you criticise the stars; it means death". The word ’stars’ refers to generals.
"It is always very dangerous for Cambodian journalists to handle reports of corruption among the power elites," the press freedom organisation said. "We urge the authorities to carry out an exhaustive and impartial investigation to track down those behind these death threats and to provide Sopheap with protection if needed."
Information minister, Khieu Kanharith, has promised a full investigation.
Since 2005, Sopheap has produced reports favourable to the Hun Sen government on the pro-government CTN channel. On 2 August he was taken off the review of the morning newspapers after mentioning a report on corruption within the state. Sopheap also presented a Sunday evening programme on the TV channel, which is owned by businessman Kit Meng.
"I have often reported on remarks by the head of government, including when he threatened to sack, those, including the generals, who are implicated in expropriation of land," Sopheap told the newspaper Cambodge Soir.
Last July, the editor of Sralanh Khmer, You Saravuth, was forced to flee to Thailand after being charged with putting out "false information" and receiving death threats. He had published an article, implicating Hun Tho, a nephew of prime minister Hun Sen.
An anonymous letter was left on 8 September 2006 in front of a Phnom Penh bar habitually frequented by the city’s journalists. "I’ve had it in for you for a long time, dirty Soy Sopheap," the letter read. "Watch out for yourself when you criticise the stars; it means death". The word ’stars’ refers to generals.
"It is always very dangerous for Cambodian journalists to handle reports of corruption among the power elites," the press freedom organisation said. "We urge the authorities to carry out an exhaustive and impartial investigation to track down those behind these death threats and to provide Sopheap with protection if needed."
Information minister, Khieu Kanharith, has promised a full investigation.
Since 2005, Sopheap has produced reports favourable to the Hun Sen government on the pro-government CTN channel. On 2 August he was taken off the review of the morning newspapers after mentioning a report on corruption within the state. Sopheap also presented a Sunday evening programme on the TV channel, which is owned by businessman Kit Meng.
"I have often reported on remarks by the head of government, including when he threatened to sack, those, including the generals, who are implicated in expropriation of land," Sopheap told the newspaper Cambodge Soir.
Last July, the editor of Sralanh Khmer, You Saravuth, was forced to flee to Thailand after being charged with putting out "false information" and receiving death threats. He had published an article, implicating Hun Tho, a nephew of prime minister Hun Sen.
5 comments:
This is what happened when the law forbid freedom of speech. The rule of laws doesn't seem to apply to the officials.
When will Cambodia end the suffering for the people, and citizens are free to voice concerns without intimidation?
It is quite obvious that corruption is a sensitive topic for the Cambodian government. Virtually, all high-ranking officials from civil service to military have been involved in corrupt practices for a long time. It's their source of power, wealth and status.
The anti-corruption law has been held back while the National Assembly focuses on laws to curb the freedom of expression and the activities of the non-governmental organisations in Cambodia instead. The public institutions are being used by the powerful elite for their own benefits.
If the Information Minister found that the death-threat culprit was one of his senior colleagues or bosses, would he have the courage to apprehend him or her? Very unlikely, unless he wants to end up like Heng Peov.
May Buddha protect those wonderful and courageous people who are prepared to speak out against impunity in Cambodia.
In the whole kingdom of Cambodia there are many useless stars whom are not capable to serve or to do things to protect our khmer nation and its own people interests, but they are very professional in collecting and spending our khmers'nation budget for their own sack.
This is to prove to USA government of President Bush that Hun Sen government is a terrorist organisation set up a state like. This organisation is terrorising people every day. The UN must desarm this CPP organisation in Cambodia in order for long lasting peace in this country
VIETNAM INVADES CAMBODIA
The official vietnamisation of our Northeastern provinces
Khemara Jati
Montreal, Quebec
September 8th, 2006
We publish below an article of Cambodge Soir of September 7th, 2006, entitled « Five projects of barrage on Sesan » (Cinq projets de barrages sur le Sesan).
This project is led by vietnamese engineers. Then this project will be materialized by vietnamese companies. Then the electricity will be transferred and sold to vietnamese Electric Centrer which would resell back their electricity to Cambodians, with a "cheap" price !
So the Ministry of Commerce, seems to be Cambodian, in the person of its Secretary of State Ith Prang endorsed a study made by vietnamese engineers. Why hydroelectric stations will be built in Vietnam and not in Cambodia ? So it will be Vietnam a boss of our electricity. According to Ith Prang, Vietnam would sell us the electricity without making the slightest profit ?
So this project is completely vietnamese and financed by the Cambodians on Cambodian territory :
1/. Led by vietnamese engineers and paid by the Cambodians;
2/. These barrages will be built by vietnamese companies with the vietnamese staff, and financed by Cambodians.
3/. The hydroelectric station will be implanted in Vietnam built and managed by Vietnamese and financed by the Cambodians? So Vietnam will be a boss of the Cambodian electricity production. While geographically this electricity belongs to us, Cambodians.
4/. It is necessary to be very naive to believe that Vietnam will sell us the electricity produced in Vietnam less expensive than to Vietnam. Presently Cambodians on our Eastern borders, pay the vietnamese electricity the double of the price in Vietnam.
5/. This project will begin only in 20012 or 20013, that is when Japan will have completed the highway construction which connecting our provinces of the Northeast with the vietnamese port of Da Nang.
6/. Why put the study of this project into the hands of the vietnamese companies and not to companies a little more independent from vietnamese interests? Are there people independent from vietnamese interests in Cambodia ?
Conclusion : It is curious to notice that Cambodian politicians sensible to defend the national interests of Cambodia, seem to ignore these problems of the vietnamisation of Cambodia in term of economic and territorial matter. Our members of parliament, on the other hand like giving lessons of democracy to the others, while they vote the laws to self censure and to look on internal affairs of the family.
We also publish below opinions of our fellow countrymen on these incomprehensible votes by politicians sensible to defend “Democracy” and “Liberties” by word and by opinion and individual.
Note : Cet article est aussi disponible en français sur demande.
Annexes :
Cambodge Soir,
Phnom Penh, le 7 septembre 2006
Five projects of barrages on Sesan
Unofficial translation from French by Khemara Jati
Five hydroelectric barrages could be built from 2012 on the Cambodian side of the river Sesan, in the province of Stung Treng, according to the results of a preliminary study made by vietnamese experts ordered by the Department of Commerce. According to Ith Prang, Secretary of State of this ministry, this study led for one year allowed to identify five sites convenient to the installation of hydroelectric infrastructures, for a total production capacity estimated at 818 megawatts. « It does not mean that all these barrages will be built », clarifies the State Secretary, who asserts that only "some priority projects" will be held first, at the conclusion of a detailed study. This one will begin in the days which follow, according to Ith Prang, and should analyze at the same moment the economic stakes and the environmental impact of such infrastructures. The biggest project concerns the construction of a barrage of a power of 420 MW, for a 611 million dollar cost. Four others would have capacities of 180 MW, 90 MW and, for both more modest, 64 MW, in respective costs of 387,164, and 114 million dollars. « Once the detailed study ended, the vietnamese could participate also in the construction of barrages, asserts the State Secretary. If everything is well, the first constructions could begin in 2012 or 2013. » The energy produced by these barrages would then be forwarded and sold to Vietnamese power plants which would resell in turn « electricity in the Cambodian provinces, with cheap price » adds Ith Prang. Ky Soklim
Cambodia Daily,
Phnom Penh, September 7th, 2006
OPINION- Letter to the Editor
Social Morality Misguided and a sad Indicator
I can't help feeling hurt that Cambodian lawmakers were so preoccupied with social morality that they rushed and passed a Law relating to people's private lives rather than dealing with many of the other more serious issues. Immediately after three months in recess, the National Assembly should have prioritized far more important legislation, such as the anticorruption law, the freedom of information law and others, which constituents and the international donor community are anxiously waiting to see. Worse to have a law to regulate individual morality is a shameful indication that Cambodia is not civilized and that its social morality is too low to be restored by any other means than the law. One parliamentarian defended the law saying it would help reduce corruption, as government officials are acquiring money dishonestly to lavish it on their mistresses. While I am glad this was acknowledged, I wonder why the parliamentarian didn’t address corruption directly. Singapore and Heng Pov are both very successful in addressing corruption, but presumably neither has an adultery law. Their success must at least partly be due to strong systems of accountability and transparency. Are we now going to make another law to criminalize children who disobey their parents by skipping classes, gambling or spending nights out with their peers? Having a law to regulate our morality and private lives is like using rods to guide a chilk!. Sok Barisoth, Phnom Penh
Again, SRP Succeeds at Disappointing
OPINION- Letter to the Editor
It seems more obvious than ever that Cambodians ought to look beyond the Sam Rainsy Party for their savior, (“SRP Admits 10 Approved Controversial Law,” Tuesday, page 13). The vote for the law - which curbs lawmakers’ right to free speech - by 10 of 24 SRP parliamentarians is a blunder with significant implications. It is incomprehensible that opposition lawmakers voted for a bill that effectively legitimizes the illegal arrest last year of one of their MPs, who also happened inconceivably, to support the bill. It seems retirement security was in their minds when they voted. It is disappointing to see such a young, energetic party already contemplating a comfortable lifestyle after politics. One SRP parliamentarian argued that the devastating Article 5 of the bill could be amended later. He is absolutely right, unless the opposition would want to keep it if they were in power. This is another sad episode reinforcing a negative perception of the SRP. Bun Buno, Australia
The Cambodia Daily
September 6th, 2006
OPINION- Letter to the Editor
Let's Help Ourselves Help The Burmese
It's a good sign that Cambodia is playing a role in the efforts to restore democracy in Burma (“Caucus for Reform in Burma Holds 1st Meeting,” Monday, page 16). The meeting shows that Cambodia, as a democracy, cares about the suffering of the Burmese people and other nations under authoritarian rule. But Cambodia needs to prove itself as a genuine democracy before preaching to others. We welcome many improvements in terms of free speech and free press in Cambodia since 1993. But many other thing need to be addressed. While the print media is relatively free, the broadcast media is still largely controlled or influenced by the government. Cambodian journalists still face many difficulties regarding access to information. In order to do their work freely and effectively, the freedom of information law must be adopted as soon as possible. Peaceful demonstrations have been banned and violently subdued by the government. The government needs to lift this ban. Cambodia can be a role model of a successful emerging democracy if it can improve on these issues. Otherwise, it will be like a toad trying to sell medicines to cure ringworm. Moeun Chhean Nariddh, Phnom Penh.
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