Showing posts with label backwardness of democracy in Cambodia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label backwardness of democracy in Cambodia. Show all posts
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Cambodia Failed to Listen to Seek Aung San Suu Kyi’s Wisdom on Democracy
September 16, 2012
By Mu Sochua
By Mu Sochua
"I have to study more about Cambodia democracy” Aung San Suu Kyi said according to Cambodia Deputy PM, Sok An. The D-PM interprets this as ASSK’s criticism of Cambodia opposition. The two met this week end at the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).
ASSK knows more than anyone else not to criticize the opposition in Cambodia where democracy is taking a very critical step backward-now Cambodia is behind Burma on democracy building.
Cambodia’s ruling party that is in power for more than 30 years continues to fear democratic reforms by silencing the opposition and its critics. Sok An should have listened to ASSK and her wisdom.
Cambodia opposition parties’ request electoral reforms are once again rejected by the Minister of Interior.
The U.N. Special rapporteur on Human Rights will report in Geneva on 25 September. His report will include recommendations for free and fair elections in Cambodia.
Cambodia main opposition and a strong contender to the 2013 elections is sentenced to 14 years for crime he never committed.
Click here to read RFA's report on Sok An's statement
តោហ៊ា សុកអាន ស្តាប់ អ្នកស្រី អង់ សានស៊ូជី មិនយល់
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| សាន អុក ក្នុងសន្និសីទកាសែតស្ដីពីកិច្ចប្រជុំវេទិកាផ្លាស់ប្ដូរយោបល់គណបក្ស នយោបាយនៅអាស៊ី នៅប្រទេសភូមា នាប្រលានយន្តហោះអន្តរជាតិភ្នំពេញ កាលពីថ្ងៃទី១៥ ខែកញ្ញា ឆ្នាំ២០១២។ |
សុខ អាន ត្រឡប់ពីប្រជុំវេទិកាផ្លាស់ប្ដូរយោបល់បក្សនយោបាយនៅភូមា
2012-09-15
ដោយ វណ្ណ វិចារ
Radio Free Asia
សុខ អាន បន្តថា ក្នុងជំនួបគ្នារវាងលោក និងមេដឹកនាំគណបក្សប្រឆាំង អ្នកស្រី អង់ សានស៊ូជី លោកបានប្រាប់អ្នកស្រី អង់ សានស៊ូជី ពីដំណើរការវិវត្តនយោបាយ និងការបង្រួបបង្រួមជាតិនៅកម្ពុជា ប៉ុន្តែអ្នកស្រី អង់ សានស៊ូជី បានតបវិញថា អ្នកស្រីត្រូវសិក្សារៀនសូត្រច្រើនថែមទៀត ពីចំណុចខ្សោយនៅកម្ពុជា។ ត្រង់ចំណុចនេះ លោក សុខ អាន សន្និដ្ឋានថា អ្នកស្រី អង់ សានស៊ូជី ចង់សំដៅពីចំណុចខ្សោយនៃគណបក្សប្រឆាំងនៅកម្ពុជា ដែលនាំឲ្យបក្សកាន់អំណាចកាន់តែខ្លាំងឡើងពីមួយថ្ងៃទៅមួយថ្ងៃ។មន្ត្រីជាន់ខ្ពស់គណបក្សកាន់អំណាច លោក សុខ អាន ត្រឡប់មកពីចូលរួមប្រជុំវេទិកាផ្លាស់ប្ដូរយោបល់គណបក្សនយោបាយនៅអាស៊ី (អាយខាប់=ICAPP) នៅប្រទេសភូមា (មីយ៉ាន់ម៉ា) នៅថ្ងៃសៅរ៍ ទី១៥ កញ្ញា។
នៅឯប្រលានយន្តហោះអន្តរជាតិភ្នំពេញ លោក សុខ អាន ឲ្យដឹងថា ភាគីគណបក្សប្រជាជនរបស់កម្ពុជា បានថ្លែងពីកំណែទម្រង់ប្រព័ន្ធនយោបាយនៅកម្ពុជា ដើម្បីជាបទពិសោធន៍ជូនបក្សកាន់អំណាច និងបក្សប្រឆាំងរបស់ភូមា ដែលកំពុងតែធ្វើកំណែទម្រង់នយោបាយពីរបបយោធាទៅជារបបនយោបាយប្រជាធិបតេយ្យសេរីពហុបក្ស។
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Democracy in Cambodia has taken many more steps backwards
Comment by Mu Sochua
Revisiting events - more than 20 years have passed and democracy in Cambodia has taken many more steps backwards. Land grabs, corrupt judiciary, unemployment add to the unresolved issues of corruption, power and impunity. The Cambodia Movement for National Rescue will give birth to a new party in time for 2013. Join us in building hope for our people and restoring the soul of our nation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b23Zf0HpOOA
Sunday, July 08, 2012
Cambodia: A pride shrouded in problems - កម្ពុជា៖ មោទនភាពដែលស្រោបបញ្ហាប្រឈមជាច្រើន
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| ទីកន្លែងប្រជុំជំនួបអាស៊ាននៅភ្នំពេញ - ASEAN meeting venue (RFI/Siv Channa) |
សៅរ៍ 07 កក្កដា 2012
ដោយ ប៉ែន បូណា
Radio France Internationale
មោទនភាពនេះគ្រាន់តែជា គ្រឿងកំដរចិត្តមួយប៉ុណ្ណោះ ប្រសិនបើគេក្រឡេកមើលទៅមុខពីព្រោះ កម្ពុជាពេលនេះ កំពុងស្ថិតនៅដាច់ឆ្ងាយពីគេយ៉ាងខ្លាំងចាប់ពីចុងសប្តាហ៍នេះរហូតដល់ថ្ងៃទី១៣កក្កដា រាជធានីភ្នំពេញកំពុងរៀបចំទទួលកិច្ចប្រជុំ ថ្នាក់រដ្ឋមន្ត្រីការបរទេសអាស៊ាន វេទិកាអាស៊ីបូព៌ា និងកិច្ចប្រជុំផ្សេងៗមួយចំនួនទៀត។ ពីទីក្រុងខ្មោចស្ងាត់ជ្រងំ មកជាទីណាត់ជួបរបស់ថ្នាក់ដឹកនាំជាន់ខ្ពស់ មកពីបណ្តាប្រទេសជិតខាង និងក្នុងពិភពលោក គឺជារបត់នយោបាយដ៏សំខាន់ដែលគួរជាទីមោទនភាព។ ប៉ុន្តែ នៅលើទិដ្ឋភាពមួយជ្រុងទៀត កម្ពុជាជាប្រទេសក្រីក្រជាងគេយ៉ាងខ្លាំងនៅឡើយ។ តើមានកិច្ចការចំពោះមុខអ្វីខ្លះដែលរដ្ឋាភិបាល និងប្រជាពលរដ្ឋកម្ពុជាត្រូវបំពេញដើម្បីតាមឲ្យទាន់គេឯងក្នុងតំបន់?
ចាប់តាំងពីថ្ងៃម្សិលមិញមក យន្តហោះដែលដឹកថ្នាក់ដឹកនាំសំខាន់ៗក្នុងបណ្តាប្រទេសអាស៊ាន និងពីបណ្តាប្រទេសធំៗផ្សេងទៀតរាប់ទាំងមហាអំណាចអាមេរិកាំងផងបានបើកតម្រង់មកចុះចតនៅទីក្រុងភ្នំពេញសាជាថ្មីម្តងទៀត។ ឥស្សរជនទាំងនោះបានមកជួបជុំគ្នាក្នុងរាជធានីរបស់កម្ពុជា ដើម្បីចូលរួមព្រឹត្តិការណ៍អន្តរជាតិដ៏សំខាន់ដែលកម្ពុជាធ្វើជាម្ចាស់ផ្ទះ នោះគឺកិច្ចប្រជុំថ្នាក់រដ្ឋមន្ត្រីការបរទេសអាស៊ានលើកទី៤៥,វេទិកាតំបន់អាស៊ាន កិច្ចប្រជុំកំពូលថ្នាក់រដ្ឋមន្ត្រីការបរទេសអាស៊ីបូព៌ា និងកិច្ចប្រជុំមួយចំនួនទៀត។
Thursday, July 05, 2012
Judge James A. Wynn talks media, legislation and democracy in Cambodia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLjLOS0QREA
Monday, July 02, 2012
CAMBODIA: Respect ideals and concepts, not arbitrary leaders
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| Those who are proactive swim against the social norm. |
A creative mind should start immediately to de-personalize the centuries-old culture of korup (respect), kaowd klach (admire and fear), smoh trang (loyalty/fidelity), bamroeur (serve), kapier (defend), directed toward individual leaders, and to reorient them toward ideals and concepts such as cheat (nation), pracheathipattei (democracy), sereipheap (freedom), sithi (rights).
July 1, 2012An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission
The West and the East historically have differed in their traditional perspectives on how best to order society. The fundamental Western philosophy prioritizes the inviolability of individual freedom and rights; essential Eastern values favor societal stability and security above all. Over time, there has evolved a degree of rapprochement: Westerners acknowledge Easterners' philosophy that freedom and human rights can't exist in a chaotic and turbulent world; Easterners see freedom and human rights as inherent in human nature.
A popular quote by Harvard University professor of government James Q. Wilson reads, "Without Liberty, Law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without Law, Liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes licentiousness."
Tibet's spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, said, "We must, therefore, insist on a global consensus, not only on the need to respect human rights worldwide, but also on the definition of these rights . . . for it is the inherent nature of all human beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity, and they have an equal right to achieve that."
These contemporary remarks reflect the ancient Buddha's teaching of the Middle Path.
Cambodians in conflict
The basic East-West philosophical difference is mirrored in the conflicts between the stability-security proponents who largely support the Hun Sen regime and the freedom-human rights advocates who generally oppose the regime.
By their culture, Cambodians are generally passive, conforming, and accommodating. Those who are proactive swim against the social norm. Thveu doch ke doch aeng, the Khmers say, meaning, do like others do, a conformist ethos that discourages those who step outside the lines.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Clinton Prepares for Major Asean Security Meeting
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| US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (Photo: AP) |
Friday, 29 June 2012
Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC
"Clinton’s visit to Cambodia for the Asean forum will entail delicate diplomacy on a number of issues."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travels to Cambodia next month for a major regional conference hosted in Phnom Penh, where a host of diplomatic challenges awaits.
The Asean Regional Forum will focus on security in Southeast Asia, but it will also host many of the world’s major players, including North Korea, which said through Cambodian diplomatic channels it will be willing to talk to the US bilaterally and to reopen moribund six-party talks.
The contentious issue of the South China Sea will also likely be on Clinton’s agenda, as she moves to further engagement in the region.
Analysts say the issues of the South China Sea issue, democracy and human rights all stand as obstacles to greater US influence in Southeast Asia, which has keenly felt the growing political and economic influence of China in recent years.
Cambodia, which is this year’s rotating head of Asean, is especially friendly with China, which is a major benefactor of military and economic aid.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Cambodian-Americans to demonstrate during Comrade Ho 5 Hong's meeting with Hillary Clinton
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| Kuong Koy, one of Hun Xen's regime's mouthpiece |
ដោយ សុខ ខេមរា វីអូអេ | វ៉ាស៊ីនតោន
សម្គាល់៖ វីអូអេនឹងមានធ្វើសេចក្តីរាយការណ៍ពិសេសអំពីដំណើរទស្សនកិច្ចផ្លូវការ របស់លោកហោ ណាំហុង មកកាន់សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកពីថ្ងៃទី១២ដល់១៣ ខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ២០១២។
«យើងនឹងបន្តសកម្មភាពរបស់យើងដើម្បីទាមទាររកយុត្តិធម៌ជូនជនរងគ្រោះខ្មែរយើងនៅក្នុងប្រទេសខ្មែរ»។
ពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរអាមេរិកាំងជាច្រើនមកពីរដ្ឋនានាត្រៀមធ្វើបាតុកម្មតវ៉ានៅមុខក្រសួងការបរទេសស.រ.អ.ក្នុង រដ្ឋធានីវ៉ាស៊ីនតោនដើម្បីជំរុញស.រ.អ.ឲ្យជួយពិនិត្យមើលស្ថានការណ៍កម្ពុជាទាក់ទងនឹងបញ្ហាសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស ការរំលោភបំពានដីធ្លី និងកែទម្រង់ផ្សេងៗក្នុងពេលលោកឧបនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហោ ណាំហុង រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ការបរទេសកម្ពុជាជួបជាមួយលោកស្រី រដ្ឋមន្ត្រីការបរទេសអាមេរិក ហ៊ីលឡារី គ្លីនតុន (Hillary Clinton) នៅថ្ងៃអង្គារ។
លោក ម៉ៃឃើល ឌួង អ្នករៀបចំបាតុកម្មអហិង្សានេះបានអះអាងថាបាតុកម្មនេះគឺដើម្បីជំរុញឲ្យស.រ.អ.គិតពិចារណាអំពីបញ្ហានៅកម្ពុជាទាក់ទងនឹងការបណ្តេញចេញពលរដ្ឋពីលំនៅដ្ឋាន ការចាប់ពលរដ្ឋបឹងកក់១៥នាក់ដាក់គុកដោយសារការតវ៉ាដែលគ្មានដំណោះស្រាយ បញ្ហាបាញ់សម្លាប់សកម្មជនព្រៃឈើលោក ឈុត វុទ្ធី និងអំពើអមនុស្សធម៌ផ្សេងៗទៀតដែលធ្វើឲ្យចុះអន់ថយដំណើរការប្រជាធិបតេយ្យនិងការគោរពសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស។
«ព្រោះអីយើងយល់ឃើញថា ចំពោះយើងជាពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរអាមេរិកាំងនិងសហគមន៍ខ្មែរនៅបរទេសទាំងអស់ដែរ គឺឃើញថា ប្រជាធិបតេយ្យហើយនិងសិទ្ធិមនុស្សនៅកម្ពុជាហ្នឹង កាន់តែដើរថយក្រោយឡើង»។
Monday, April 09, 2012
តើវត្តមានរបស់លោកសម រង្ស៊ីជាលក្ខខណ្ឌចាំបាច់សម្រាប់ការបោះឆ្នោតឬទេ?
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សៅរ៍ 07 មេសា 2012
ដោយ ប៉ែន បូណា
Radio France Internationale
ប៉ុន្តែ បក្សប្រឆាំងវិញដែលចាត់ទុកលោកសម រង្ស៊ីថាជា«ជនរង គ្រោះ នយោបាយ»ដោយសារ ការធ្វើទុក្ខបុកម្នេញរបស់បក្ស កាន់អំណាច នោះរំពឹងថា ការបោះឆ្នោតខាង មុខនេះ នឹងគ្មាន តម្លៃអ្វីឡើយ បើគ្មានវត្តមានរបស់ លោក សម រង្ស៊ី។
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ការបោះឆ្នោតឃុំសង្កាត់ដែលប្រព្រឹត្តទៅនៅខែមិថុនាខាងមុខនេះកាន់តែខិតចូលមកដល់ហើយ ប៉ុន្តែ នៅមិនទាន់មានសញ្ញាណាមួយដែលបង្ហាញថា លោក សម រង្ស៊ី មេដឹកនាំបក្សប្រឆាំងធំ ជាងគេនៅកម្ពុជាអាចវិលត្រឡប់ចូលស្រុកវិញបាននៅឡើយទេ។ ផ្ទុយទៅវិញសង្គ្រាមពាក្យសម្តីរវាង បក្ស កាន់អំណាចនិងបក្សប្រឆាំងកាន់តែមានទំហំធំឡើងជាលំដាប់។ នេះសបញ្ជាក់ឲ្យឃើញថា ដំណើរការបោះឆ្នោតខាងមុខនេះប្រាកដជាគ្មានវត្តមានរបស់លោកសម រង្ស៊ី។ តើអវត្តមានរបស់លោកសម រង្ស៊ីធ្វើឲ្យរាំងស្ទះប្រជាធិបតេយ្យនៅកម្ពុជាឬទេ?
នៅពេលដែលក្រសែភ្នែករបស់សហគមន៍អន្តរជាតិកំពុងសម្លឹងឆ្ពោះទៅជោគជ័យរបស់លោកស្រីអង់សាន ស៊ូជីនៅប្រទេសភូមា វាសនានយោបាយរបស់លោកសម រង្ស៊ីក៏បានក្លាយជាប្រធានបទក្តៅម្តងទៀតនៅកម្ពុជា។ ការបោះឆ្នោតបំពេញបន្ថែមនៅភូមាកាលពីថ្ងៃទី១មេសាដែលបើកផ្លូវឲ្យមេដឹកនាំបក្សប្រឆាំងដ៏ល្បីល្បាញគឺលោកស្រី អង់សាន ស៊ូជី ចូលទៅកាន់រដ្ឋសភានោះ គឺជាចំណុចទាក់ទាញមួយដល់សហគមន៍អន្តរជាតិ បើទោះបីជាវាមិនមានន័យថា គណបក្សរបស់លោកស្រីអង់សាន ស៊ូជី នឹងឡើងដឹកនាំរដ្ឋាភិបាលក៏ដោយ។ អ្វីដែលបង្កើតជាចំណងទាក់ទងរវាងស្ថានការណ៍នយោបាយប្រទេសភូមា និងកម្ពុជាគឺនៅត្រង់ការបោះឆ្នោត និងវត្តមានរបស់មេដឹកនាំបក្សប្រឆាំងក្នុងការបោះឆ្នោតនេះឯង។ ខណៈដែលមេបក្សគណបក្សប្រឆាំងភូមាដែលធ្លាប់ត្រូវគេដាក់ឃុំឃាំងក្នុងផ្ទះអស់រយៈពេលជិតពីរទសវត្សរ៍ត្រូវគេអនុញ្ញាតឲ្យចូលរួមបោះឆ្នោតនោះ នៅកម្ពុជាវត្តមានរបស់មេដឹកនាំបក្សប្រឆាំងដ៏សំខាន់ម្នាក់កំពុងចោទជាបញ្ហា នៅពេលដែលការបោះឆ្នោតកាន់តែឈានជិតមកដល់។
ជាការពិត ការបោះឆ្នោតមួយដែលប្រកបដោយសេរី ត្រឹមត្រូវ និងយុត្តិធម៌ពិតប្រាកដទាល់តែការបោះឆ្នោតនោះមានតម្លាភាព និងគ្មានបញ្ហា។ ផ្ទុយទៅវិញ ការបោះឆ្នោតមួយដែលគូបដិបក្ខនយោបាយមានជម្លោះគ្នាយ៉ាងស្រួចស្រាល់រហូតដល់គូប្រជែងដ៏សំខាន់ម្នាក់មិនអាចចូលរួមក្នុងការបោះឆ្នោតបាននោះចៀសមិនផុតឡើយពីភាពល្អក់កករ។ មានន័យថា អវត្តមានរបស់លោកសម ង្ស៊ី ដែលជាមេបក្សប្រឆាំងលំដាប់ទី១ក្នុងការបោះឆ្នោតនេះពិតជាធ្វើឲ្យស្រអាប់ដល់ដំណើរការបោះឆ្នោតបើទោះជាតិចឬច្រើនក្តី។ ក៏ប៉ុន្តែ វាក៏មិនមែនមានន័យថា អវត្តមានលោកសម រង្ស៊ីធ្វើឲ្យការបោះឆ្នោតមិនអាចដំណើរការបាននោះដែរ។ ហេតុផលសត្យានុម័តទាំងពីរខាងលើនេះអាចជាជំនួយស្មារតីមួយសម្រាប់ការផ្សះផ្សាគ្នារវាងគណបក្សប្រឆាំងនិងបក្សកាន់អំណាចនៅកម្ពុជាជាជាងការប្រកាន់យកត្រូវដាច់ណាត់តែរៀងៗខ្លួន។
Friday, March 30, 2012
Khmer Post Media Center - Backwardness of democracy and freedom in Cambodia (Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp6ARwZdNhM
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
The people must no longer wait for Preah Batr Dhammik to come to their rescue
Change is what Cambodians in general say they want in Cambodia. Opposition parties and opponents to Hun Sen and the ruling party want regime change.
Thursday, December 15, 2011An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission
The end of 2011 is filled with less than happy news on Cambodia and her people that dampens the holiday mood. On the first of December, Radio Free Asia presented a somber broadcast on the culture of corruption permeating Khmer youth, starting with kindergarten children, the teaching corps, and moving up to education officials in government. Allegations of corruption at this foundational level do not bode well for Cambodia's future.
The report on corruption by RFA's Keo Pich Meta began with an illustrative Khmer saying "Tumpaeng snorng russei," which refers to bamboo shoots that will grow and replace aging bamboo trees. Bamboo shoots are the nation's future pillars. The saying counsels children to go to school, study hard, become educated, to help build a prosperous country.
RFA's report describes unspecified numbers of Khmer children and youth, the bamboo shoots, who are unlikely to grow up to become strong future pillars of a broadly prosperous society. They have fallen prey to societal ills, drugs, laziness, a lack of desire to learn, an avoidance of schooling, among other things. Of course there are children and youth going to school, the report says, but in the course of their schooling it has become customary to bribe teachers for better grades so students can move to the next level.
Having learned a culture of corruption at such a young age, these small bamboo shoots will probably carry the culture of societal ills with them as they grow.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Cambodia: Human rights on a slippery slope
30 July 2011
By Arnaud Dubus
Liberation (France)
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
"Cambodia is slowly sinking into a predatory authoritarian regime like those established by Zine Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia and Muammar Qaddafi of Libya."
In the early 90s, there was an illusion that the massive operation undertaken by the United Nations to rehabilitate Cambodia after decades of war had "rooted" democracy there. A new constitution was drafted. The election, judged reasonably free and fair, took place in 1993 with a turnout of almost 90%. A civil society sprouted on the wasteland of a rejuvenated country. Cambodia was an exception in the region, leaping from an autocratic post-Khmer Rouge regime to a liberal government, a kind of "Cambodian miracle" that defies the lessons of history.
Since then, this dream has eroded steadily, especially since the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has marginalized the political opposition following the 2008 election. The majority of local human rights representatives no longer wanted to be cited personally. The risk of being thrown in jail for criticizing the mighty Hun Sen and Bun Rany, his wife who bears the title "Honorable Wise Doctor," is just too much to bear. Christophe Peschoux, the director of the Phnom Penh office of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR), had to leave the country in May after Hun Sen asked all government agencies to stop cooperating with him.
Nothing illustrates better the deterioration of fundamental freedoms than the issue of farmers who face forced eviction from their lands to make way for rubber plantation or sugar cane companies whose owners are closely linked to the government. "When the victims complain against the powerful people, judges do not pay attention them. But when private companies complain about the victims, the judges and prosecutors rush in [to meet the companies’ demands]," a Cambodian activist said.
The mixing of political and business interests is quite dizzy at times: for example, a senator who is a close friend of the Prime Minister grabs for himself a plot of land with the support of the military, next, he benefits from the passing of a law by the National Assembly that provides financial guarantee to the project on the plot of land. Cambodia is slowly sinking into a predatory authoritarian regime like those established by Zine Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia and Muammar Qaddafi of Libya.
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Au Cambodge, les droits de l’homme sur une mauvaise pente
30/07/11
Par Arnaud Dubus
Libération
Il y avait au début des années 90 une illusion selon laquelle l’opération massive des Nations unies pour réhabiliter le Cambodge après des décennies de guerre avait «enraciné» la démocratie. Une nouvelle constitution avait été rédigée. Des élections, jugées raisonnablement justes et libres, avaient eu lieu en 1993, avec un taux de participation de près de 90%. Une société civile vivace bourgeonnait sur les friches d’un pays rajeuni. Le Cambodge faisait figure d’exception dans la région, passant d’un bond du régime autocratique post-Khmers rouges à un gouvernement libéral, une sorte de «miracle cambodgien» qui défiait les leçons de l’histoire.
Ce rêve s’est effrité progressivement, particulièrement depuis que le Premier ministre, Hun Sen, a marginalisé l’opposition politique après les élections de 2008. La plupart des représentants des organisations locales de défense de droits de l’homme ne veulent plus, désormais, être cités nommément. Le risque de se faire jeter en prison pour avoir critiqué le tout puissant Hun Sen ou son épouse, Bun Rany, laquelle porte le titre d’«honorable docteure pleine de sagesse», est tout simplement trop important. Le directeur du bureau de Phnom Penh de la commission des Nations unies pour les droits de l’homme, Christophe Peschoux, a dû quitter le pays en mai, après que Hun Sen a demandé à toutes les agences gouvernementales de cesser de coopérer avec lui.
Rien n’illustre mieux la dégradation du respect des libertés fondamentales que la question des paysans expropriés manu militari de leurs terres pour faire place à des sociétés de plantations d’hévéas ou de cannes à sucre, dont les directeurs sont étroitement liés aux gouvernants. «Quand les victimes portent plainte contre un puissant, les juges n’y prêtent pas attention. Mais quand des firmes privées le font, les juges et les procureurs se précipitent», explique un militant cambodgien.
La confusion des intérêts est parfois confondante : tel sénateur, ami proche du Premier ministre, s’octroie un terrain grâce à l’appui des militaires, puis bénéficie du vote d’une loi par l’Assemblée nationale qui accorde une garantie financière au projet. Le Cambodge s’enfonce lentement dans un autoritarisme prédateur qui n’est pas sans rappeler l’édification des régimes de Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali en Tunisie ou de Muammar al-Kadhafi en Libye.
Monday, July 18, 2011
CAMBODIA: The challenges of building democratic institutions
Contributors: Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth
Thus, Cambodians of different political tendencies must unite, move on steadfastly with their activities, increase pressure on the dictatorship, and believe that nothing is so firmly rooted that it cannot be changed. If the rights spots are pushed at the right time, change will occur.
Jean Monnet, regarded by most as the founding father of the 27 member European Union, once said, "Nothing is possible without men; nothing is lasting without institutions." That statement has influenced my political thinking over time. I have reflected on Monnet's inferences about 'men' and possibilities, and 'institutions' and longevity. A related concept is represented by a familiar quotation from President John F. Kennedy: "A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on."
An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission
Jean Monnet, regarded by most as the founding father of the 27 member European Union, once said, "Nothing is possible without men; nothing is lasting without institutions." That statement has influenced my political thinking over time. I have reflected on Monnet's inferences about 'men' and possibilities, and 'institutions' and longevity. A related concept is represented by a familiar quotation from President John F. Kennedy: "A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on."
As I needed for myself a sense of empowerment and of positivity, I inverted Monnet's words to read: "With men and women, nothing is impossible." And I added, "God willing."
Last month in Phnom Penh, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon told the Phnom Penh Post of Cambodia's need for "democratic institutions" that benefit everyone in society. A few days ago, the Post printed Cambodian lawmaker Ms. Mu Sochua's article, "A hard road to democracy."
Thus, as I considered what to write for this month's column, my thoughts have focused on Monnet's 'men' and women, too, as sensitive readers reminded me of inclusiveness and on 'institutions.'
Intelligent men and women make things happen. Throughout human history, they have used their capacities to discover, build, change, create and destroy. Some among them are remembered; others are forgotten. Their ideas, vision, and the institutions they created, remain.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
CAMBODIA: When actions convergence, change can't be stopped
FOR PUBLICATIONPro-democracy Cambodians are united in their hatred for Vietnam's expansionism into Cambodia, and in their opposition to the autocracy of Premier Hun Sen and his ruling Cambodian People's Party, backed by the King Father and his son, the current king. All four have allowed illegal Vietnamese settlements in Cambodia while the country's underprivileged are evicted from their land, their homes bulldozed, and they are beaten by the police.
AHRC-ETC-009-2011
April 15, 2011
An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission
CAMBODIA: When actions convergence, change can't be stopped
April 15, 2011
Happy Khmer New Year of the Rabbit to all my Cambodian and non-Cambodian Buddhist readers! May you be blessed in this New Year with new thoughts and a new soul as you face the challenges of the 21st century! In my first article for the Asian Human Rights Commission in the Year 2555 of the Buddhist era, I'd like to begin with Buddha's "To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent."
I believe problems, personal or communal, can be solved through sustained creative and innovative efforts, and predicaments can be addressed as one develops a capacity to cope. Don't stay idle; do something, do many things, to respond to the inevitable pain of personal loss(es). Quality thinking and positive thinking can catalyze personal and social change.
Buddha on Responsibility
"I do believe in a fate that falls on [men] unless they act," preached Gautama Buddha 2,500 years ago. We act to change, to improve situations from what they are to what we would like them to be. Passive behavior assures that our destiny becomes our fate. Man is responsible for what he is. As Buddha said, "Work out your own salvation … No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path."
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Cambodia vs. Thailand foments more conflict
JOEL BRINKLEY
The Kansas City Star
COMMENTARY
In Cambodia, Hun Sen vows to remain in office until he is 90. He’s 58 now, and already no Asian leader has served as long — 26 years. Like Egypt, Cambodia holds faux elections, but Hun Sen recently declared: “I don’t just want to weaken the opposition, but to make it die.”
In the post-digital era, most of our pictures stayed in the camera Wisconsin’s governor, in the eye of the storm Cambodia vs. Thailand foments more conflict How I lost my voter ID and other no-show fables from the KC mayoral primary State budgets prop up structures while cutting services Burke and James must serve up the specifics Unions for public employees have been a 50-year policy mistake Observing Black History Month helps us move forward The GOP’s strategy to divide America Sen. Scott Brown, abused as a youth, opens a window on ‘lost’ boys The South lost the Civil War, but some won’t heed its lessons Obama’s cynical budget forfeits America’s future Strong progress toward a more diverse city and nation What Others Are Saying | Expect long line for next Super Bowl Young, tough women are taking center stage Investing in UMKC will help create a vibrant work force What Others Are Saying | Pittsburgh’s chance to be the new Gotham City ‘Big solutions’ hamper KC's downtown appeal KC voters must pick a mayor who ‘gets it’ on transit U.S. Excerpts | The value of pre-K classes; entitlements in the federal budget Across the Middle East and beyond, kings and dictators are quaking in their castles, afraid their people will throw them from power. All except one, that is.
In Cambodia, longtime dictator Hun Sen, like his fellow potentates around the world, watched the news and figured out his own strategy. He decided to give a speech and threaten his people.
“I would like to tell you that if you want to strike as in Tunisia,” he warned, “I will close the door and beat the dog this time.”
That was last month, and all has been quiet since. Don Jameson, a former State Department official who served in Phnom Penh, just returned from a long visit there and told me, “I judge that the chances of an uprising against the Hun Sen regime similar to those in Tunisia and Egypt are close to zero.”
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