The Cambodian authorities and armed forces will continue to strengthen the safety and security in the country, as anti-Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) groups overseas, seen as “extremist groups”, protested again to urge the government to withdraw from the CLV-DTA agreement.
Scores of Cambodians protested in South Korea and USA on September 1 to demand the government to withdraw from the CLV-DTA due to concerns of Cambodia ceding territory in the northeast provinces to Vietnam.
According to the Facebook page of activists living in South Korea, this was the second protest to urge the Cambodian government to “come out of the CLV project and listen to Cambodians”. Protesters were seen carrying Cambodian and South Korean flags, chanting “No CLV, No CLV”.
“I hope the government hears what the people say. If there is no solution for their own people, we youth [will] protest again and again until the [Cambodian] government withdraws from the CLV,” a protester was heard saying.
Top Praseth, another protester in South Korea, shared that those who came to the demonstration volunteered to join. He said the Cambodian government “did not allow Cambodians to know about the CLV-DTA project” and even he just learned about the issue recently. “The government [is] trying to restrict and not allow us to demonstrate or express our opinion. On behalf of Cambodians, I felt pain when I learned about the CLV project.”
Praseth said if the government failed to withdraw from the CLV-DTA project, they would continue to demonstrate until the government responded to their call. He said people “must stand up and protect the land”. “If we don’t protect [it], we will lose our land,” Praseth said at the demonstration.
“If the government was really concerned about the country, it should build a fence along the border, withdraw from the CLV project and develop [the area] by itself. If the government doesn’t have the ability […] please leave the position, which is also good,” Sor Youna said in a clip captured by RFA.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak and National Defense Ministry spokesperson Chhum Socheat did not respond to calls and questions via Telegram when contacted by CamboJA News.
‘May or may not happen’
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on September 3, extremist opposition groups abroad under the pretext of peaceful demonstrations designated August 18, 2024 to “plot to overthrow the legitimate government”. They ”failed miserably” with security, public order, stability and peace being “firmly guaranteed” throughout the country, it said.
According to the statement, the authorities implemented measures to prevent 188 suspects from entering Phnom Penh by “explaining, educating and allowing them to return home”.
In addition, 57 people were detained but administrative measures were implemented, such as “education”, and allowed to return home. The authorities also “arrested a number of leaders and sent them to court”.
The statement added that “strong evidence was found, including firearms, dangerous equipment, voicemails inciting violence, as well as other illegal means to implement the dark plan”.
National Police spokesperson Chhay Kim Khoeun told CamboJA News that the strengthening of national security and safety was underway which will be based on the “actual situation”.
However, he did not confirm talks of a demonstration on September 9 but said, “there may be a demonstration or not, you can ask the person who gave you this information”.
Royal Gendarmerie spokesperson Eng Hy did not respond to CamboJA News via phone or Telegram.
On August 11, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces issued a statement “condemning and resolutely opposing” the “rebels” who want to overthrow the government. They vowed to protect peace in the country, and the people at all costs.
Unlawful arrests, including children
On August 27, Prime Minister Hun Manet introduced the establishment of an infrastructure fund along the Cambodian border to raise funds and provide opportunities for locals and Cambodians overseas to participate directly with the government.
The government also announced the registration for free Saturday visits to the northeast provinces in the country, starting September 7, 2024, so that Cambodians can see the situation for themselves. They can also appraise the development in the northeast region and construction of a ring road infrastructure along the border.
The Ministry of Information is organizing the free tour, with travel, meals and accommodation sponsored by Hun Manet and his wife, and contributions by philanthropists. As a result, the state budget or budget for border infrastructure would not be affected, it said.
In March this year, Commerce Minister Cham Nimul, who is also chairwoman of CLV-DTA participated in the signing ceremony of the minutes of the 13th CLV Joint Coordination Committee, which was hosted in Laos.
The minutes were preliminary documents with the aim of continuously promoting social-economic development, economic cooperation and keeping a closer relationship for the heads of government of the three countries.
In July, scores of activists were arrested following the establishment of a Telegram group with thousands of members. The group allegedly discussed organizing gatherings and peaceful marches to protest against the CLV-DTA agreement.
On August 28, Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that 94 people were arrested, with at least 59 charged, placed under arrest or in pretrial detention.
HRW found that the 59 people who were arrested included environmental and human rights activists, as well as “children”. They were unlawfully detained and charged for expressing their views on the agreement or organizing peaceful protests.
Twenty-one people have been charged with incitement to commit a felony, and 33 people face charges of plotting against the state, including four young adult members of Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA).
‘We won’t allow it to happen’
Government spokesperson Pen Bona told CamboJA News that while it was ”their right to protest and express their views abroad”, it must be done “in accordance with the legal framework and respect the laws of that country”.
He added that there was “no problem if that expression was not over”.
“What we have seen in the first and second demonstration was a character that goes beyond the stated purpose or leads to political incitement and attempts to overthrow the government,” Bona mentioned.
Speaking on behalf of the government, he said there was “nothing to worry about because it was a demonstration by a small group of people” and that Cambodians within the country were not following them.
Assuming there are people who “believe in incitement and make an attempt (to protest)”, the authorities would “not allow it to happen”, he added.
To date, the authorities and government have safeguarded peace, political stability and security for the people, at all costs. “[We] must protect the peace, social stability of the people and the development of the nation.”
In 2021, Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, expressed concern about the improper use of incitement charges. Incitement carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, while “plotting” carries a punishment of up to ten years.
Kate Schuetze, deputy regional director for East South East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office at Amnesty International, said Cambodia’s partners should publicly and jointly call for the assault on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly to end.
“The arbitrary restrictions on freedom of movement, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not justified under international law. The harassment of activists and their families is never acceptable.”
“Alarmingly, the heavy-handed response by the Cambodian government has seen young people, including some children, unlawfully detained and charged with serious crimes against the state,” said Schuetze.
