Mu Sochua returns to Cambodia but remains quiet

Mrs. Mu Sochua and her supporters (Photo: Ly Meng Huor, RFI)

25 September 2009
By Ly Meng Huor
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

On her return trip to Phnom Penh this Friday, SRP MP Mu Sochua escaped from the reporters at the Phnom Penh International Airport. She seems to remain quiet and trying to defuse the tense political situation, unlike when she was in the US.

Unlike from the past, Mrs. Mu Sochua, who used to criticize the violations of human rights, escaped from reporters instead this Friday. However, in her comment provided to the Light of Candle radio station run by the SRP, Mrs. Mu Sochua seems to defuse her criticisms against the government at a forum in the US recently.

In the almost 7-minute interview with the Light of Candle radio, Mrs. Mu Sochua confirmed that, in her testimony to the US Congress and the Cambodian people, she did not ask the US to cut aid to Cambodia, and neither did she defamed anyone. Quite to the contrary, she wants [to see] the US aids to Cambodia to be quality aids that benefit all the Cambodian people in terms of health service, education and freedom of expression, etc…

Seemingly trying to defuse the [tense] situation between the opposition party and the government, Mrs. Mu Sochua stressed that the SRP is an important partner in the construction of democracy. The SRP is fighting [the government], but an important partner of the government in all aspects.

During the wait for the arrival of Mrs. Mu Sochua at the Phnom Penh International Airport this morning, besides the presence of reporters, US embassy representatives were also seen observing the situation as well. The US embassy in Cambodia was asked by US representatives to follow up and provide refuge to human rights activists, as well as politician – including Mrs. Mu Sochua – who provided their testimonies to the US Congress human rights commission recently.

Nevertheless, Phay Siphan, the secretary of state and spokesman of the Council of Ministers, said that, in the name of the government, he welcomes Mrs. Mu Sochua’s and the SRP’s new standing.

Phay Siphan added that, the government, as well as the CPP, always welcomes any partnership for the construction of the country, and turning it into a plural democracy country.

A few hours following the return of Mrs. Mu Sochua to Phnom Penh, the prosecutor of the Appeal Court issued her a court summon, asking her to show up in court to provide her clarification on 02 October in regards to the appeal on her lawsuit against Hun Xen for defaming her in Kampot.

Mu Sochua arrived in Cambodia on 25 September

24 September 2009
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Latest updates:

1. Mrs. Mu Sochua arrived in Phnom Penh on 25 September 2009 at 11:30AM.
2. A court summon was issued for her to appear at the appeal court on 02 October 2009.

SRP MP Mu Sochua plans to arrive in Cambodia on Friday 25 September to fulfill her work to serve the people as usual. Her return follows her slightly more than one month absence from Cambodia starting from the beginning of August.

SRP MP Yim Sovann, spokesman for the SRP, indicated that Mrs. Mu Sochua’s arrival is nothing out of the ordinary: “She’s returning to accomplish her work as a Cambodian MP, as usual. She is returning from her mission overseas, and the National Assembly will hold its sessions soon, therefore, she will accomplish her work at the National Assembly to serve the people according to her duty as a Member of Parliament.”

Sok Serey: How about her immunity?

Yim Sovann: Mrs. Mu Sochua appealed her case, she is waiting for the Appeal Court’s decision.

Regarding the return of Mrs. Mu Sochua, General Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the ministry of Interior, said that Mrs. Mu Sochua should not be concerned about her personal safety or security: “She’s like any ordinary citizen because the National Assembly did not restore her parliamentary immunity yet. For this case, I am not concerned, but if she’s concerned, it’s up to her. Normally, she’s like our 13-14 million people, safety protection is the same for everybody.”

Chan Soveth, an investigation official for the Adhoc human rights NGO, commented: “No matter what, regarding the security issues for politicians, for political parties, and for civil society organization officials, this is a duty of the Royal Government of Cambodia which must protect their safety.”

Mrs. Mu Sochua is the elected representative for Kampot province from the SRP party. Her parliamentary immunity was lifted by the National Assembly on 22 June 2009, and, at the same time, SRP MP Ho Vann also saw his immunity lifted.

On 04 August 2009, the Phnom Penh municipal court sentenced her to pay 16.5 million riels ($4,100) in damage compensation for defaming PM Hun Xen.

Mrs. Mu Sochua immediately appealed the verdict which was handed down while she did not have a defense lawyer in her case.

She left Cambodia to travel to the US on 05 August for her mission, as well as for personal reason.

She gave her testimony to the US Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on 10 September, in Washington DC, along with Dr. Pung Chiv Kek from Licadho, and Moeun Tola from the Community Legal Education Center NGO.

Mrs. Mu Sochua criticized the evolution of democracy in Cambodia during that hearing, and she also criticized the lack of freedom of expression in Cambodia. Her testimony attracted immediate reactions from several high-ranking government officials.