Social-welfare grad faces potential arrest following testimony to U.S. lawmakers, she says
16 September 2009
By Cathy Cockrell, NewsCenter
UC Berkeley News (California, USA)
BERKELEY — "We cannot accept democracy fed to us by the teaspoon; we want full democracy," a Cambodian parliamentary opposition leader, Mu Sochua, told an audience at Berkeley in a brief but impassioned talk Sept. 14.
Her campus appearance came just four days after she testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, telling members of Congress that "democracy in Cambodia is experiencing an alarming free fall."
Mu Sochua (Cathy Cockrell/NewsCenter image)According to the human-rights advocate, that act of defiance has been ill received by the ruling regime back home, and daily radio attacks against her by a government spokesman have taken a serious turn. "This morning … he used the word 'traitor,'" she said, noting that treason carries a prison sentence of 20 years to life in Cambodian law. "I am going home facing jail," Ms. Mu said with emotion.
"I have no fear of jail," she later added, "but I fear something else which I can't tell you — not the bullets, but the acid attack. That is very common."
A Cal alum who earned her master's degree at the School of Social Welfare in 1981 and Berkeley's prestigious Haas International Award in 2006, Mu has spent a quarter century battling sex trafficking, domestic violence against women, government corruption, and illegal appropriation of land in her country. In 2005, in recognition of her efforts, she was one of 1,000 women from 153 countries nominated jointly for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Mu has served in the Cambodian government as adviser on women's affairs to the prime minister and as the nation's minister of women's and veterans' affairs. More recently, as a member of the Sam Rainsy opposition party, her relationship with government authorities has deteriorated. Mu has been stripped of the immunity normally accorded members of Parliament, and on Aug. 4 was found guilty by the courts in Phnom Penh of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has held power since the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge in 1979.
In her talk before a standing-room-only audience of several hundred, Mu said her life's work had been informed by values she learned at the School of Social Welfare. But "what I learned on the ground," she added, "is that social work alone" — as a means to ameliorate her people's social and economic problems — "will continue to make the people feel as if they are victims.
"We cannot afford to let our people believe they are victims," Mu said. "We have to go one step beyond that…. If we really want a change, it has to be a political issue." Language and culture present barriers to political change, she said: the term "accountability," for example, has no equivalent in Cambodian, while the word for "opposition" implies someone who is confrontational and destructive. Working against such obstacles, Mu, as leader of her party's women's movement, spearheaded a campaign to identify and encourage grassroots women to run for office in their villages.
According to the Asian Human Rights Commission, the Cambodian government is increasingly using the judicial system to silence opposition leaders, journalists, and human-rights organizations. Mu noted that Cambodia receives $1 billion a year in foreign aid, $53 million of it from the United States, despite its flaunting of legal and human rights. She called on members of the campus community to demand that U.S. aid to Cambodia be tied to compliance with human-rights standards and to demand that those Cambodians who speak out publicly against the government not be persecuted for doing so.
"Send a signal to Hillary Clinton," Mu said. "I don't want to go to jail. With your silence, I will go to jail."
39 comments:
Mrs. MU:
Great thanks to you and all of your courageous colleagues who, for the sake of Khmer People, always step forward to voice for them.
Mrs. Mu not only fighting for her personal rights but all rights for all Cambodian in Cambodia. Keep in mind, she do not have to do all this from the begining if she don't honesly and truly wanted to help our people from the bottom of her heart.
Please click on or copy and past the link below to your browser to post comments of supporting Mrs. Mu on US Secretary Clinton's blogg page.
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entries/clinton_sochua
What kind of democracy fighter is this?
She wants the whole lot, but she does not want to pay the full price. She is scared of neither jail nor bullet; but she is scared of being disfigured.
Kuoy Pichet
Hi Mrs. Mu, it's me!
Thanks for everything you have done for our people and country! We will stand and support you along till the end!
R.V.
7:26 AM or ah ចុយម៉្រាយ Kuoy Pichet,
come kiss my ass now ah ចុយម៉្រាយ Kuoy Pichet, ស្ដាប់បានទេអាចុយម៉្រាយ!!!
7:36AM,
The game will not be over until this dictorial government pay a heavy price too. Just wait and see how the good vs the devils. If the opposition MPs do not bravely step forward to voice and pursue for social justice, freedom, and democracy for their beloved compatriots, this half-despotic government will fullfil its range as a second Khmer Rouge regime in the near future.
The Royal Government of Cambodia is the government of murderers, criminals, robbers, land grabbers; they are all leeches sucking blood of the whole nation. Such a government that is corrupted from head to toe must be abolished soon, so Khmer people in general can be free of fear.
Please rise up together and make a new revolution to fall the present regime, Mrs. Mu and SPR is leading the New Revolution.
crazy woman get the foreiner to fight cambodia againt,she can not achieve nothing from cambodian people so she turn head around to the us,what does she think the us can help her with $30 million worth of aid a year? mu sokhu and sam rangsy should go back to school and learn politic againt because they act like kids.
SRP TO WEAK FOR CPP.
Wow Madam dunt scare a bullet but Acid Attack!!? fuck you!! I bet your face now is too worst than the acid-attacked face....See! big mouth that fit to USA-big dick and I think your toungue is too smooth beocause u used it too much to lick USA-dick...
Come on..dunt pretende to be heroine,we are here Khmer, have seen your ass clearly...dunt fuck up keep lying other innosence Khmer-USA.
Khmer
8:15 AM, you're too freaking weak...just look at your English!
9:06 AM is the same person as 8:15 AM. You're not worth anybody's time...just quit now!
Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime had committed:
Tortures
Brutality
Executions
Massacres
Mass Murder
Genocide
Atrocities
Crimes Against Humanity
Starvations
Slavery
Force Labour
Overwork to Death
Human Abuses
Persecution
Unlawful Detention
Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime had committed:
Attempted Murders
Attempted Murder on Chea Vichea
Attempted Assassinations
Attempted Assassination on Sam Rainsy
Assassinations
Assassinated Journalists
Assassinated Political Opponents
Assassinated Leaders of the Free Trade Union
Executions
Executed members of FUNCINPEC Party
Murders
Murdered Chea Vichea
Murdered Ros Sovannareth
Murdered Hy Vuthy
Murdered Khim Sambo
Murdered Khim Sambo's son
Murdered members of Sam Rainsy Party.
Murdered activists of Sam Rainsy Party
Murdered Innocent Men
Murdered Innocent Women
Murdered Innocent Children
Killing innocent Khmer peoples.
Extrajudicial Execution
Grenade Attack
Terrorism
Drive by Shooting
Brutality
Tortures
Intimidations
Death Threats
Threatening
Human Abductions
Human Rights Abuses
Human Trafficking
Drugs Trafficking
Under Age Child Sex
Corruptions
Bribery
Illegal Mass Evictions
Illegal Land Grabbing
Illegal Firearms
Illegal Logging
Illegal Deforestation
Illegally use of remote detonation on Sokha Helicopter, while Hok Lundy and other military officials were on board.
Illegally Sold State Properties
Illegally Remove Parliamentary Immunity of Parliament Members
Plunder National Resources
Acid Attacks
Turn Cambodia into a Lawless Country.
Oppression
Injustice
Steal Votes
Bring Foreigners from Veitnam to vote in Cambodia for Cambodian People's Party.
Use Dead people's names to vote for Cambodian People's Party.
Disqualified potential Sam Rainsy Party's voters.
Abuse the Court as a tools for CPP to send political opponents and journalists to jail.
Abuse of Power
Abuse the Laws
Abuse the National Election Committee
Abuse the National Assembly
Violate the Laws
Violate the Constitution
Violate the Paris Accords
Impunity
Unlawful Detention
Death in custody.
Under the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime, no criminals that has been committed crimes against journalists, political opponents, leaders of the Free Trade Union, innocent men, women and children have ever been brought to justice.
UNDER AGE CHILD SEX
Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime had committed under age child sex.
Svay Sitha is a senior government official from Cambodian People's Party.
Svay Sitha had a sexual relationship with Tat Marina, she was only 16 years old.
Source: Human Rights Watch
ACID ATTACK ON TAT MARINA
Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime had committed acid attack.
"On December 5, 1999, Tat Marina, age 16, was severely disfigured in an acid attack in Phnom Penh. The attack was allegedly committed by Khun Sophal, the wife of a senior government official, Svay Sitha, because she was angry her husband had a sexual relationship with Tat Marina. Neither Khun Sophal nor those suspected of being her accomplices in the attack were brought to justice. Intense media publicity compelled the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Khun Sophal for attempted murder, but the police claimed that they could not locate her, although journalists reported that she was living at home as usual."
Source: Human Rights Watch
TORTURE AND MURDER ON PRAK SITHA WHILE IN CUSTODY BY MISNISTRY OF INTERIOR OFFICIAL
Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime had committed torture and murder.
"On the night of January 16, 2003, a street youth named Prak Sitha was beaten to death at the Ministry of Interior (MOI) headquarters after he was arrested and detained by off-duty MOI officers on suspicion of theft. His body - bearing numerous injuries to the head, torso, arms, and legs - was dumped at a Phnom Penh pagoda the following morning by ministry officers, in violation of police regulations regarding deaths in custody. No criminal charges were filed in connection with this death. In December 2004, the case was cited by the UN secretary-general's special representative for human rights in Cambodia - who stated that Prak Sitha died at the ministry "following beatings by a known police officer" - as an example of a "consistent and continuing pattern of impunity" in Cambodia."
Source: Human Rights Watch
PUT SAMPHORS WAS SHOT DEAD BY MEAN SOKCHEA, A RCAF MAJOR WORKING IN BRIGADE 70.
Hun Sen's personal Bodyguards Unit (Brigade 70) is a terrorist organization.
Hing Bunheang is a March 30, 1997 Grenade Attack suspect identified by the FBI.
Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime had committed murder, again.
"On September 4, 2008, Mean Sokchea, a RCAF major working in Brigade 70, shot dead 21-year-old waitress Put Samphors at a restaurant in Kandal province. Mean Sokchea, in a drunken stupor, fired his gun and apparently mistakenly hit Put Samphors in the stomach. She was taken to a hospital but later died of her wounds. Mean Sokchea was detained by the police overnight but was then released, allegedly after intervention by Hing Bun Heang. Put Samphor's family received US$2,700 from Mean Sokchea, and the police told them that their daughter was shot while authorities were chasing robbers."
Source: Human Rights Watch
Hi Mrs. Mu!
Thanks for everything. You are the 1st lady in Cambodia. Successful in your job and good luck
8:15 AM and 9:06 AM,
Mu Sochua is not fighting against Cambodia. She is fighting against Hun Sen, a dictator, and the courts owned by Hun Sen. Why should she relies on Cambodia courts since we all know that those courts are biased in favor of the powerful and the rich. It is right for her to get outside help since no one in Cambodia can help her as everything, including the country, is own by Hun Sen and his cronies.
ឥញ្ចឹងហើយអតចរិករបស់បក្សប្រឆាំងកាលណា
ធ្វើអ្វីមួយមិនឈ្នាះគេគឺចេះតែពាក្យអសុរស់ទៅដាក់ប្រជាជនខ្លួនឯងទៅវិញបើប្រមាដដល់អ្នកដ៏ទៃ
គេនឹងមិនប្រណីទេ។
9:06AM,
Don't claim yourself as a Khmer, because most Khmers are not as pleu as you are. To make you one special Khmer, I want to add an adjective, such as ah Yuon-slave to Khmer. And now you are a Yuon-slave Khmer.
Mu Sochua and SRP supporters,
If you are really patriotic and brave, then don’t pick a fight with Hun Sen. Pick a fight with Yuons or Siams, then everyone SRP, CPP, …etc will admire and respect you.
THANK YOU MP MU SOCHU YOU ARE BRAVE
AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT. MAY GOD BLESS ALL THE OPPOSITION AND MP
MO SOCHU AND ALL CAMBODIAN.
10:35 AM,
Your comment suggested that supporting someone other Hun Sen is unpatriotic. If Hun Sen is patriotic enough why, for 30 years, his people suffered tremendously under his rule while even aids money keep pouring in. Poor people are poorer and poorer and beggars are increasing everywhere in the kingdom?
Mrs Mu Sochua is only fighting to save the Democracy in Cambodia and not again a person (Mr. Hun Sen) or the Royal government.
so far you can see tveu lah oar ban ach tveu akrark ban leerp!mu sochua looks much older than her age because of stresses and rany face blossoms like a flower! I dont believe in BONN and BARB anymore...
Hey MEE Mu Sochua, if Ghang scare of acid attack do not come to Cambodia, stay there. Yes! Ghang have no fear of jail beause Ghang have White man can help protect Ghang at any time.
Mu Sochua, you are a US citizen, you should’t be involved doing and politic in Cambodia. All Khmer abroad who are US citizen or other foreign citizen when visiting Cambodia, I suggest you do not get involve with any politic against the Cambodian People Party, the Kingdom of Cambodia. Only Khmer citizen can do, solve any problem for the people of Kingdom of Cambodia. Would some of you forward my message to Mu Sochua?
(NOTE: if you post long sentence like a book, I don’t have time to read it. Thanks)
Angkorian Krama Man
Angkorian Krama Man posted comments everywhere in KI media in supports of Hun Sen and condemned everyone who opposed Hun Sen on a 24X7 basis. Are you, Angkorian Krama Man, getting paid by Hun Sen just to do that?
Yes Pal! I do get pay by the CPP government here in Cambodia. And you get pay by Mu Sochua and Sam rainsy party. Right?
Ank Krama Man
People, don't get fool by Krama Man. Think about it? The person post on every blogg 24/7. It is obvious that the person is one of the KI Media team. Posting against everyone to creat buzz. Keep everyone to keep posting for the Website rating.
Krama Man, not everyone support and respect your KI Media Site is all idiot! Please stop this tac tic! I really respect all KI Media works but this tac is too low.
Truth will come out if what you do is not tue. Just like the Cambodian government today!
6:01PM! how old are you? Why you are so stupid?
1:53 AM or Krama Man,
Sorry Sir, I am not affiliated with any parties and I am not getting paid to post comments as I, at age 59, retired with modest pension after working with the same company for 30 years. You and I have different mindset in mind: your comments are motivated by money while mine are motivated by my desire to seek justice for ordinary people against Hun Sen's oppression regime.
3:31 Am,
Well Sir, I am 55 years old now I know who is right who is wrong. Would you like to joint and work for our country? May I ask where are you? In Cambodia? Thanks
Ank Krma MAN
3:31 AM Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Ank Krama Man 1:53 AM, no i just want to help khmer people i do not get pay by srp at all. just my concent tell me what is right and what is wrong.
to common 6:01 PM, you said Bonny look blossom? sorry she look like she been using to much acide to bleech her skin, her face look like me la ngeur pa pli pa pleur ot mean kour roboss ka loun ang. and her face look like chines "Hi" her eyes look like some body take take somthing to put it on khmer said " meul pnek vea jos....jos...jos doj mok sor hey pleur...pleur.
ah ha! it's called being impatient. it's not that bad after all, it's just some of us are impatient by nature because we see other nations so advanced, and cambodia should not move too slowly after all. that's all! however, by acting uncivilized is another story altogether. can't we all just get along? there are more to cambodia than you and i; and cambodia and khmer people deserve better time, nowadays, you know! god bless cambodia.
eh! common 8:38 AM, i do not mind if some one critique mu on the right way but they were critigue her about her look that is how i said.
and i do not mind if mi Bunranny wear tick make up or somthing else. when came to Brunrany brain i think she had no brain. and this is show up on her face and tell every body that " i am bunrany hun kwack had no brain so i do not stress or care free because i am a pig khmer said si dake si dake only.' this also show on her white pale pleur face." get it dude.
To ANK Krama Man or 3:50 AM,
At age 59, with education and work experience from Cambodia and America, I should have no problem getting job in Hun Sen government; however, I choose not to do so as it's against my two principles:
1.- I don't like corruption
2.- I don't like to work for dictator.
I always dream of coming back to retire, live, and die in my native country, but I realize now that dream is not going to be materialize as long as my country is run by the dictator Hun Sen.
11:38 PM,
Well it's sound good Bang Pros, to me I think the country is saved. Most Cambodian people abroad always jum to the conclusion that Cambodia is run by the dictator leadership. Please stop now, I don't know what to say, we all Khmer we should stop fighing with Khmer and Khmer, it's not going to be good for the country. Thanks for your respond. Oh by the way, if you happen to be in Cambodia don't forget to stop by see our Angkor Wat temple, it's home there.
Angkorian Krama MAN
To 2:58 AM,
With 2.5M to 5M viets currently live in Cambodia holding Khmer ID's, and you said Cambodia is saved? You must be out of your mind. That amount to one viet for every two Khmers. And those Viets keep on flowing in everyday to our country with no sign of slowing down. To me, sooner or later we will not have a country to call home. By the way, from 1999 to 2005 I had visited Cambodia 4 times. coupled with that, in 1965 to 1970 I used to follow my brother in law, who was a driver at the Royal Palace during Sihanouk reign, everywhere in Cambodia. Another word, anywhere Sihanouk went I went along. Consequently, there were no places in Cambodia that I don't know, including Angkor Wat. Sorry Sir, we cannot work together, even we are both Khmers, as long as we have different principle: you are Hun Sen supporter while I'm not.
To 3:53 AM,
I am going to make this short now I just got a telephone call. I will be going to Preah Vihear this weekend, let see what’s been happening there. I’ chat with you later or next week if am free. Man! it seem to rain again, we have flooding here on the road.
(Note: if you post long sentence like a book, I don’t have time to read. Thanks)
Angkorian Krama Man
2;58 AM & 3:53 AM Wonderful story!
Today our country not is stabilize under this leadership and I can't wait for a change we needed.
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