22nd November 2007
By Shaun Inguanzo
Dandenong Star (Victoria, Australia)
HUMAN rights lobbyists have lashed out at Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea after he refused to participate in an anti-Chinese Government protest.
Cr Chea this week told Star he wanted to protect the ties Greater Dandenong had formed with Chinese sister city Xuzhou.
The Human Rights Torch Relay is a global event that aims to expose human rights abuse in China in the lead-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
On Monday the torch came through Springvale and was carried by Greens candidate for Hotham, Matthew Billman.
Both Mr Billman and Victorian ambassador for the relay, former Olympic swimmer Jan Becker, this week criticised Cr Chea and his colleagues for failing to attend the Springvale leg and show their support for the cause.
The 63-year-old Ms Becker said Cr Chea attended the funeral of a suspected Tamil Tiger member in April, upsetting the Sri Lankan community.
But, she said, he did not have the courage to stand up to the Chinese Government and highlight human rights abuses.
“I reminded the mayor of his heritage being Cambodian,” she said about her discussions with Cr Chea.
Cr Chea fled Cambodia for Australia during the genocidal Pol Pot regime.
“I told him I hadn’t forgotten about human rights atrocities but he obviously had,” Ms Becker said
“I also questioned why it was okay for him to go and support the Tamil Tigers while he won’t stand up for this.”
Cr Chea told Star he believed his decision was in the best interest of the city’s Chinese-origin residents, and its econmic ties with China.
“At the moment we have a good relationship with the People’s Republic of China,” he said.
“We have a sister city tie between the City of Greater Dandenong and Xuzhou, and the friendship is very close.
“And also the majority of the (Chinese-Australian community in Greater Dandenong) support the consular general of China.
“So it is very hard for me as mayor of Greater Dandenong to do something (like the relay).
“I need to think about the city council before myself.”
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades said she had planned to attend the relay and the only thing stopping her was an appointment she had committed to prior to the relay invitation.
“If the mayor did not want to attend then I think that is all right,” she said.
Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown said the relay was a global political protest – not an issue that local government should become involved in.
“I think residents expect councillors to focus on their own backyard rather than international politicking,” he said.
Cr Chea this week told Star he wanted to protect the ties Greater Dandenong had formed with Chinese sister city Xuzhou.
The Human Rights Torch Relay is a global event that aims to expose human rights abuse in China in the lead-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
On Monday the torch came through Springvale and was carried by Greens candidate for Hotham, Matthew Billman.
Both Mr Billman and Victorian ambassador for the relay, former Olympic swimmer Jan Becker, this week criticised Cr Chea and his colleagues for failing to attend the Springvale leg and show their support for the cause.
The 63-year-old Ms Becker said Cr Chea attended the funeral of a suspected Tamil Tiger member in April, upsetting the Sri Lankan community.
But, she said, he did not have the courage to stand up to the Chinese Government and highlight human rights abuses.
“I reminded the mayor of his heritage being Cambodian,” she said about her discussions with Cr Chea.
Cr Chea fled Cambodia for Australia during the genocidal Pol Pot regime.
“I told him I hadn’t forgotten about human rights atrocities but he obviously had,” Ms Becker said
“I also questioned why it was okay for him to go and support the Tamil Tigers while he won’t stand up for this.”
Cr Chea told Star he believed his decision was in the best interest of the city’s Chinese-origin residents, and its econmic ties with China.
“At the moment we have a good relationship with the People’s Republic of China,” he said.
“We have a sister city tie between the City of Greater Dandenong and Xuzhou, and the friendship is very close.
“And also the majority of the (Chinese-Australian community in Greater Dandenong) support the consular general of China.
“So it is very hard for me as mayor of Greater Dandenong to do something (like the relay).
“I need to think about the city council before myself.”
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades said she had planned to attend the relay and the only thing stopping her was an appointment she had committed to prior to the relay invitation.
“If the mayor did not want to attend then I think that is all right,” she said.
Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown said the relay was a global political protest – not an issue that local government should become involved in.
“I think residents expect councillors to focus on their own backyard rather than international politicking,” he said.
5 comments:
Even a small Cambodian/Australian major is afraid of China to break tie with him. This major might last only one term. Don't he think he lives in the white country not in China? Why he worries about a small percentage of Chinese community living in that city?
Australian live in Dandenong city should vote him down next term.
From Khmer in USA
He did the right thing by looking after Dandenong economic interest and of course his constituents!
I support Mr Chea 100%. This group of human right must go to china and revalue their finding of chinese human right before they are acting funnier thing. China used to be a country controled by large landlaord and no foods. People were dying in the streets without foods. Now most chinese have propered to their poltential. Only a few Falung Cong cult which was a group of idiots trying to sabotage Chinese properity. If China is fallen into the hand of hardliner, the whole will be at risk. Mayor Chea was a smart man. Come on Cambodian american, what have you done? Chea is a role model of all Cambodian people around the world. He represent Cambodian Pride and Cambodian National in foreign country politic. Areak Prey
Mayor Chea appeared to have a short memory about the Killing Fields. Unfortunately he, as a Cambodian and as Dandenong mayor, did not have the conscience to stand up and speak out against the human abuses in China.
Yeah, but the China did not killed anyone in the field. The only thing they did is supplying arms to the region. Even if they didn't, I am sure the North Korea or someone else will. So what difference does it made?
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