Cambodians warned against ‘Bangladesh-inspired’ protests

Aug 13, 2024

PHNOM PENH: Former Cambodian prime minister, Hun Sen, has warned Cambodians to avoid 'Bangladesh-inspired’ protests led by an overseas group known as Unity for the Nation saying members had been identified while accusing them of plotting to oust his son’s government.

In a slew of statements released late Aug. 12, Hun Sen told the group to immediately “cease their actions and withdraw” to avoid prosecution after protests were staged in South Korea and Australia last weekend asking the government to withdraw from the CLV-DTA initiative.

The government-friendly Phnom Penh Post reported Khmer activists in both countries also called for action similar to recent demonstrations in Bangladesh, where mass protests led to the downfall of long-serving prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her government.

“The group's ultimate goal is to overthrow the legitimate government,” Hun Sen, who remains president of the Senate and chief of the long-ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), said.

“Foreign incitement is intense, but our people must not be misled. Do not cross the red line by attempting to overthrow the government, as the illegal rebels have urged recently,” he said, adding parallels between demonstrations in Bangladesh and Cambodia had been made.

"Try it if you can. If you consider yourself strong, go ahead and try," he said.

Four Cambodian activists were arrested on July 23 after they were accused by Hun Sen of “twisting” facts by accusing leaders of ceding territory to its neighbors through the Development Triangle Area (DTA) bordering Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (CLV).

An agreement covering the CLV-DTA was struck in 1999 and is designed to create an economic and security area across shared borders, enabling authorities from all three countries to deal with issues like transnational crime.

Hun Sen said Unity for the Nation operated online using a Telegram channel, adding members had been identified and they were using the social media app in plotting to overthrow the government through force, including the use of civilians and by inciting the military.

“For those who have already been arrested and those who have not yet been detained, we will consider leniency if they withdraw from the Unity for the Nation group. We have no choice. Our only option is to protect peace, political stability, and the lives of our people.”

As prime minister, Hun Sen launched a crackdown in 2017 against all forms of dissent, targeting opposition politicians, journalists, and civil society activists which enabled his CPP to win national elections with a landslide majority the following year and again in 2023.

He transferred power to his eldest son Hun Manet last August and suggestions that the rule of law and democracy have deteriorated further in the past year have resulted in defamation suits.

Human rights groups say there are at least 60 political prisoners currently held in Cambodian jails. Among them, the former leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party Kem Sokha, prominent trade unionist Chhim Sithar and the Khmer language Bible editor Theary Seng.

Most have been charged with plotting against or to overthrow the government. They include 10 environmentalists who were jailed on July 2 for up to eight years after they released a report about effluent leakage into the Mekong River system.--ucanews.com