Civil society organizations and political parties have called on Prime Minister Hun Manet and his government to restore the space for freedom of speech and political rights in conjunction with the 33rd anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements.
Government spokesperson Pen Bona, however, denied that rights and freedoms have shrunk.
Organizations and political parties, as well as embassies and hundreds of youths celebrated the event at the Freedom Park on Sunday, urging the government to implement the Paris Peace Agreements signed on October 23, 1991.
Eighteen governments and the UN – signatories to the agreements – pledged to promote and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cambodia, and adhere to a liberal democratic political system.
Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee executive director Ros Sotha said the government has yet to fulfill the pledge in the agreements with regards to respecting fundamental rights, especially political rights which are restricted.
“Our main topic today [on Sunday] is to uphold political freedom, to foster the principle of multiparty rights and our fundamental rights,” he said. “We have seen that political rights are the foundation of other fundamental rights.”
He added that if there is no fair implementation of political rights, peace, development and national reconciliation will not happen.
The international community, including the signatories of the agreement, see “political right as being very crucial” and present in people’s daily life.
Candlelight Party representative Nhek Virak asked for democracy, rights, freedom of speech, and political rights to be “restored”.
“Citizens already know what is the current situation of democracy and human rights in Cambodia, so Candlelight serves as a reminder for all to foster forward […] to open the space for freedom of speech,” he said.
National Love Party representative Seav Visoth echoed Candlelight’s call regarding freedom of speech and political parties’ rights to organize activities freely.
“We have seen the political situation shrinking in Cambodia,” he said.
“We noticed that some politicians have fled the country. People inside the country cannot speak out, assemble or do activities in line with the constitution,” Visoth said.
He urged the government to consider the “full implementation” of the Paris Peace Agreements and carry out national reconciliation among Khmer politicians.
In July, four Paris Peace Agreements activists, including Srun Srorn, were arrested, charged with incitement to disturb social security after posting a video alleging the ceding of northeast province territories to Vietnam, and placed in pretrial detention in Prey Sar prison.
Defense lawyer Son Chumchuon told CamboJA News that the investigating judge closed their investigation of the case last week. However, Chumchuon submitted a proposal for further investigation.
“I believe the investigation has insufficient evidence, so I submitted a letter to delay the closing of the investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, government spokesperson Pen Bona said the spirit of the Paris Peace Agreements was enshrined in the constitution. The government upholds the constitution, he added.
“Cambodia does not restrict the right to do politics or freedom of expression [but] Cambodia enforces the law [against] those who cross the red line,” he remarked.
Bona cited Article 41 of the Constitution where Cambodians are entitled to freedom of expression and publication, and right to assemble. But, no one should exercise this right by infringing upon the honor of others or breaking traditions, public order and national security, he added.
According to the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), over 100 people have been arrested since late July, with more than 60 charged and imprisoned for social media posts, planning to assemble and expressing their views on the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area agreement.
The United States is committed to helping Cambodia achieve the principles of the Paris Peace Agreements and encourage all signatories to do the same, the US embassy in Phnom Penh said via email.
“Open and free dialogue within a society – including among civic actors, the private sector, and government – is needed to ensure the public’s interests are well-represented,” said Katherine Diop, its public affairs officer.
Separately, Japan hoped that Cambodia, standing firm on the principles enshrined in the agreements and the Constitution, will continue its development for years to come.
“The government of Japan’s position is that, in the path of building a healthy democratic society, it is essential to create an environment which enables the people to express diverse opinions,” Japan embassy in Phnom Penh said via email.
Cambodia’s democratic development is important for itself, the region and the international community, the embassy official said, adding that Japan will continue to support democratic development of Cambodia.
