(Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)April 24, 2009
ABC Radio Australia
In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen is set to be sued for defamation by one of the Kingdom's leading female opposition politicians. Mu Sochua wants little more than an apology but the move to challenge Cambodia's "Strong Man" in the courts is seen as unprecedented.
Presenter: Robert Carmichael
Speaker: Mu Sochua, Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian
CARMICHAEL: Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is not a man to be taken lightly. He takes pride in his reputation as a strong man, and is regarded here with a mixture of fear and respect. He has also reportedly never been sued.
But that could soon change. Unless Hun Sen retracts recent comments, a female opposition MP will begin a court action against him before the end of April. Mu Sochua is a senior MP in the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, or SRP, the largest opposition party. Before she joined the SRP she was the minister for women's affairs in the coalition government.
The SRP is a constant thorn in the prime minister's side, regularly criticizing him and his ruling Cambodian People's Party for not cracking down on corruption and abuses of the law. The comments made by the prime minister and broadcast nationally didn't use Mu Sochua's name directly, but she says she was clearly the target. Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith says the prime minister is not concerned about the case, and says Mu Sochua is simply presenting herself as a victim and trying to discredit Hun Sen. Khieu Kanharith says the MP is simply trying to get noticed by the media, and stresses that Hun Sen did not actually name anyone in his speech. But, he adds, if Mu Sochua feels she has been insulted, she is entitled to seek remedy through the courts.
So what actually happened? Referring to a land grab case in the southern province of Kampot - which Mu Sochua represents - Hun Sen said that those villagers who wanted their case resolved by him ought not to go to 'the opposition female MP'. Five villagers were injured when the army threw them off their land and burned down their homes - another reminder of the ongoing problem of impunity and land rights in Cambodia.
During his speech, says Mu Sochua, Hun Sen referred to her as 'cheung chat' - a derogatory term that she says conveys the meaning of a hustler, somewhere between a gangster and a prostitute.
That, she claims, was in response to an event during last year's general election when she was campaigning for the SRP and was allegedly assaulted by an army general, losing buttons off her shirt. She sued the general, and that case is now headed for the Appeal Court.
Mu Sochua says that the prime minister ought not to have said anything that could influence the judges in that case. Her chances of getting justice now, she says, are ruined.
Which is why MPs from the two opposition parties sent a letter to the president of parliament demanding that Hun Sen either provide proof for his words or retract his statements.
Mu Sochua admits that a retraction and apology are unlikely. So next week her lawyer will file the case in the municipal court in Phnom Penh.
So why is she taking on the prime minister?
MU SOCHUA: This is the first time, and I do this on behalf of Cambodian women. I do it on behalf of women in general, because women who are raped, who are assaulted - verbally, sexually, physically and so on - who don't have a voice, cry in silence, are ruined inside. This is a symbolic case and also an unprecedented case.
ROBERT CARMICHAEL: Mu Sochua says she is concerned that her move could prove dangerous. To offset the perceived dangers she has lined up some influential friends. Her office features a photograph of her with US secretary of state for foreign affairs, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Mrs Clinton is also linked with US organisations that have pledged Mu Sochua their support in this matter, as are a number of other US politicians and celebrities.
MU SOCHUA: It is dangerous - if you consider all the killings that have taken place of people who are strong activists, who are human rights activists, and members of the opposition.
ROBERT CARMICHAEL: So what does she want out of the case? Simply an apology and 500 riel in damages - a symbolic sum of around fifteen Australian cents.
Mu Sochua admits it is unlikely that she will win her case, but says if she does she will frame the red 500 riel banknote and hang it in her office in honour of women around the world who are exploited.
Presenter: Robert Carmichael
Speaker: Mu Sochua, Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian
CARMICHAEL: Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is not a man to be taken lightly. He takes pride in his reputation as a strong man, and is regarded here with a mixture of fear and respect. He has also reportedly never been sued.
But that could soon change. Unless Hun Sen retracts recent comments, a female opposition MP will begin a court action against him before the end of April. Mu Sochua is a senior MP in the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, or SRP, the largest opposition party. Before she joined the SRP she was the minister for women's affairs in the coalition government.
The SRP is a constant thorn in the prime minister's side, regularly criticizing him and his ruling Cambodian People's Party for not cracking down on corruption and abuses of the law. The comments made by the prime minister and broadcast nationally didn't use Mu Sochua's name directly, but she says she was clearly the target. Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith says the prime minister is not concerned about the case, and says Mu Sochua is simply presenting herself as a victim and trying to discredit Hun Sen. Khieu Kanharith says the MP is simply trying to get noticed by the media, and stresses that Hun Sen did not actually name anyone in his speech. But, he adds, if Mu Sochua feels she has been insulted, she is entitled to seek remedy through the courts.
So what actually happened? Referring to a land grab case in the southern province of Kampot - which Mu Sochua represents - Hun Sen said that those villagers who wanted their case resolved by him ought not to go to 'the opposition female MP'. Five villagers were injured when the army threw them off their land and burned down their homes - another reminder of the ongoing problem of impunity and land rights in Cambodia.
During his speech, says Mu Sochua, Hun Sen referred to her as 'cheung chat' - a derogatory term that she says conveys the meaning of a hustler, somewhere between a gangster and a prostitute.
That, she claims, was in response to an event during last year's general election when she was campaigning for the SRP and was allegedly assaulted by an army general, losing buttons off her shirt. She sued the general, and that case is now headed for the Appeal Court.
Mu Sochua says that the prime minister ought not to have said anything that could influence the judges in that case. Her chances of getting justice now, she says, are ruined.
Which is why MPs from the two opposition parties sent a letter to the president of parliament demanding that Hun Sen either provide proof for his words or retract his statements.
Mu Sochua admits that a retraction and apology are unlikely. So next week her lawyer will file the case in the municipal court in Phnom Penh.
So why is she taking on the prime minister?
MU SOCHUA: This is the first time, and I do this on behalf of Cambodian women. I do it on behalf of women in general, because women who are raped, who are assaulted - verbally, sexually, physically and so on - who don't have a voice, cry in silence, are ruined inside. This is a symbolic case and also an unprecedented case.
ROBERT CARMICHAEL: Mu Sochua says she is concerned that her move could prove dangerous. To offset the perceived dangers she has lined up some influential friends. Her office features a photograph of her with US secretary of state for foreign affairs, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Mrs Clinton is also linked with US organisations that have pledged Mu Sochua their support in this matter, as are a number of other US politicians and celebrities.
MU SOCHUA: It is dangerous - if you consider all the killings that have taken place of people who are strong activists, who are human rights activists, and members of the opposition.
ROBERT CARMICHAEL: So what does she want out of the case? Simply an apology and 500 riel in damages - a symbolic sum of around fifteen Australian cents.
Mu Sochua admits it is unlikely that she will win her case, but says if she does she will frame the red 500 riel banknote and hang it in her office in honour of women around the world who are exploited.
20 comments:
Congratulation Mu Sochua for your courage to sue Hun Sen for his idle and malicious speech. Of course, it is not on behalf of MP, Mu Sochua is correctly suing Hun Sen on behalf of all Khmer women and women worldwide. Kiev Kannaridh is stupid to see Sochua's legal process as for her personal fame. Of course, it is usual for drunken Kannaridh to say so because he has never paid attention to the strengthening the rule of law in Cambodia.
Hun Sen is really arrogant leader. Any one who wants to challenge with Hun Sen through guns and sticks will be useless; but if we want to challenge with Hun Sen through the legal process, we will always win this arrogant leader.
Let open this case and other legal cases against Hun Sen for the sake of Hun Sen, CPP and Cambodian people to strengthening the rule of law.
Let us cross our fingers and provide big heart to Madam Sochua. I appeal all women to stand up and protect your own rights from men's verbal abusing.
KY
Khmer economy did not collaps as long as these leaders sueing each other. Soon there will more news and more people became lawyers. All khmer should study law and become a lawyer....
I don't support for defamation lawsuite for laws makers. I would prefer to introduce a reference to the King to sack this Prime Minister for lacking of integrity and moral to be a leader. In most civilised countries, opposition leader would write letter to their President or Governor General or king to sack a Prime Minister for speaking with senseless languages which discriminate aganist any part of the society. We treat this language used by Hun Sen as immoral language in which each leader should be awared to use in public. Areak Prey
12:10 PM
You can have all the attorneys, but I will have ALL judges on my side. Judges don't argue, but the attorneys do. Of course, you already know the outcome.
Hun Sen was the dumpy boy and he has little education. So he does not know how to communicate with public people in term of he is Prime Minister and leader. He uses his words like a Nak Leng, Thugs and Gangster. Thai foriegn minister, Kasit insulted Hun Sen as Nak Leng, was referred to his inappropriate attitude and manner.
As leader uses diplomatic words to communicate with others. Hun Sen, you are not Akrem (refer to Cambodian comedian).
Sometimes I watched TVK and wanted to listen way your talking intead of crazy Akrem.
This just shows that a woman can't be doing politics. Its a man's job. This bitch has the bad case of PMS! Somebody PLEASE slap her and put her back in her place! Bitch needs to learn that her role in life is to cook, clean, suck dick, fuck when her husband needs, and suck some more dick when he is is done to clean him up. Leave politics to the men.
5:11 PM , AH NIS NIYEAY DOUCH AH HUN SEN DORL HERY .. LIKE MASTER LIKE DOG .
One eyed bandit; first hiseye now his mouth. Soon he will be known as one eyed dumb bandit.
Red-Ant wants to see The Exellency multiple Ph.D. Hun Sen handles in the court of law.
Let's see the show
Red-Ant.
5:11pm may be ur wife is good in sucking dick ,me want to try all ur female family member,is that o..k?sir..
We are behind you 100% Mrs. Sochua. It is the only way to change Cambodia from tyranny. True democracy should be one system for all; anyone can be sued and hold accountable for their action. In this case it happens to be Cambodian Prime minister. He must learn to respect his people. Thank you for taking the first step... and not to forget we are behind you 100%.
The language of HUN SEN supporter (5:11) speaks for itself. None of you should spend the time to respond. He is doing it to divert the issue.
Lawsuit Hun Sen, great!!!!!
He need to learn legal rigth of other.
good action! more power to khmer women and lawmakers. hopefully this will set a record for cambodia that anyone, leaders, etc... have to respect people's rights too and if they defame someone or mocking someone because of their gender, etc, can be sued so they must be careful next time. the rule of law do not give anyone impunity no matter who they are. someone has to take action sooner or later, you know. this is a new cambodia, not the dark ages like before! god bless cambodia.
9:28 and the rest of you clowns that are claiming equality for women blah blah blah and freedom of speech and whatnot....
why would anyone sue the PM? isn't it HIS RIGHT to say what he wants? doing he have the right like the cock sucker Sam Rainsy and Mu Sochua to say what his opinion is? just like any opposition members?
open you eyes, not just your mouth. the real world, ever since the big bang, has been a dog eat dog world. only the fittest survive. that should go for politics also.
what i was saying in my earlier post was that if Mu Sochua (and women in general) wants to be treated fair, claiming equality and all thir bullshit in politics, she should expect the same treatment and treated like equal. since when do you hear any male politicians complaining about defamation because of a few words about a loose button on his shirt?
want equality, expect equal treatment. what mu sochua is suing for is special treatment for her because she is a women. please... if you can't handle being treated and talked to equally as men, go back to cooking and sucking cock.
feel free to contact me at +855 81 800 700.
would love to hear the cries from this one...
o by the way whoever you are 9:28,
give me a call sometime. i would love to arrange your request for you. grow some balls and actually call.
3:48am, sound fair. because that's right, if women demand fair opportunity, etc, they must be strong and willing to except critics as well and not use their gender to sue or what have you. like women in the USA who fight for their rights to join the military, to vote, etc, they too must not have double standard because of their gender. sexual harrassment could happen both way, so professional code of conduct or code of ethics must be follow in order to prevent such occurrences. if could happen anywhere, not just in cambodia. nothing is for free, you've got to be willing to sacrafice something for something else. it is a cruel world, but that's how life is; otherwise, it would be boring if everyone is the same all the time. god bless cambodia.
3:48
Although i agree wit ur point of view, there are nicer terms to phrase it in. you sound very intelligent, how about use that to help out cambodia instead of wasting your time arguing with these online losers that will never amount to anymore that the dirt on my shoe.
mr 3:48 you are stupid to say that ms. mu sochua's law suit is about a few words. your as stupid as mr hun sen to understand these political maneuvres on the side of cpp and mr hun sen.
5:11PM, I tell you this story. I sat
in front of Former Khmer rouge Hun Sen last 28 years ago(school in Phnom Penh).Don't you know about him?
His hands are contaminated with khmer
blood ,he hasn't changed.Sooner later he will cut your head.I fully support Mrs Mu Sochua and respect her as model of khmer women,not scare to stand up for her right.Your language is the same as your former Khmer Rouge Hun Sen.I hope your will change your mind and learn how to respect
your females family.
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