Original report from Phnom Penh
23/05/2007
The Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists Tuesday expressed "shock and outrage" at public comments from Prime Minister Hun Sen last week that allegedly sent a Radio Free Asia reporter into hiding.
Hun Sen last week called Keo Nimol "insolent" and, according to the Federation, later asked another journalist the real name, background and political leanings of the reporter.
The Federation called on the prime minister to "publicly clarify" his comments, claiming his words had caused the reporter to flee "in fear after being targeted for abuse."
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
"Your radio station is insolent, and the one who asks questions is insolent too," Hun Sen told Keo Nimol after he asked a question last week, sparking concern that subordinates intent on gaining favor with the prime minister might harm the reporter.
A colleague of Keo Nimol told VOA Khmer Wednesday Keo Nimol was taking care of ill family members in Bangkok.
Keo Nimol "is now in hiding and fears for his personal safety," the Federation said.
"The prime minister is only undermining the principles of democracy by attempting to discredit and silence those who question the power structures," Federation President Christopher Warren said in a statement. "In the name of press freedom and journalists' safety in Cambodia, the prime minister must act to end the intimidation, or face the disapproval of the international community."
Hun Sen last week called Keo Nimol "insolent" and, according to the Federation, later asked another journalist the real name, background and political leanings of the reporter.
The Federation called on the prime minister to "publicly clarify" his comments, claiming his words had caused the reporter to flee "in fear after being targeted for abuse."
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
"Your radio station is insolent, and the one who asks questions is insolent too," Hun Sen told Keo Nimol after he asked a question last week, sparking concern that subordinates intent on gaining favor with the prime minister might harm the reporter.
A colleague of Keo Nimol told VOA Khmer Wednesday Keo Nimol was taking care of ill family members in Bangkok.
Keo Nimol "is now in hiding and fears for his personal safety," the Federation said.
"The prime minister is only undermining the principles of democracy by attempting to discredit and silence those who question the power structures," Federation President Christopher Warren said in a statement. "In the name of press freedom and journalists' safety in Cambodia, the prime minister must act to end the intimidation, or face the disapproval of the international community."
13 comments:
HUN SEN is acting like an Idiot Lion King.Comment by Prohok Khmer Lived in Lynn Mass.USA.
Cambodian leaders have been labelled many centuries by neighbour countries as very barbaric and rude toward to their own fellow citizen. If Cambodia wants to get ridge of this kind of believe, Cambodia should investigate Hun Sen comment on RFA as insolent> Areak Prey
Cambodia investigate Hun Xen?
How can it be?
Lucky enough that Hun Xen, not put all in jail!
YES, HE IS...
Along with many angry commentators in KI WEBSITE are like him as well by using a lot of F...and S...and so forth nasty/profanity words to make comments.
So like father like son. It can be said DNA/RNA strain replicate.
Put comment that not related to the acticle is imoral!
more immoral is that a prime minister as ah Hun Sen (youn servant)is the criminal against humanity in Cambodia
Wrong, it is Ah Sam Nazi who
commited crime against millions
and millions of Khmer people. He
shoud be brought to justice in
the tribubal for crime against
humanity.
I say Fuck You and Go To Hell whoever supported Ah Samdech Fake Hun Kwang. You all have been brainwashed by this uneducated moron, idiot former Khmer Rouge who never knew right from wrong.
Damn, I didn't know that the world
had gone mad.
cambodia prime minister is stpid pig...ha ...ha ,he shoud be put
away from the public.
We need assasins in srok khmer, to take out some CPP leaders. Too many stupid men running our country. They're not working for the people, they are working for the youn.
Yes, yes, yes, let's get rid of
Ah Sam Nazi now.
Get rid of ah/me kantorb yuon 9:39 PM.
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