Cambodian Opposition Leader Urges Action to ‘Save Democracy’

 

A Cambodian opposition¹ lawmaker says she fled the country to avoid arrest. She accuses the government of continuing a campaign of repression² against her party’s leadership.

Mu Sochua told Reuters news agency she decided³ to leave Tuesday after learning she might be arrested. It is not clear where she has gone.

Monday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warned of strong action against any politicians linked to a treason case against opposition leader Kem Sokha.

Sokha leads the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). He was charged with treason and detained. Cambodian officials accuse Sokha of planning to overthrow⁴ the government.

CNRP officials accuse Hun Sen of ordering the arrest of its leaders and taking steps to prevent the party from operating. Hun Sen is a member of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). The 65-year-old ruler has led the country for 32 years. A general election is planned for next July.

The CNRP says almost half of its opposition party lawmakers have either left Cambodia or are in jail. A recent legislative⁵ amendment⁶ permits the government to end political parties for national security reasons.

Mu Sochua wrote Wednesday in a note to The Associated Press, “The situation is very serious and has direct impact on 2018 elections.”

She continued, “I no longer feel safe inside the country. My voice needs to be heard inside and outside.”

She told Reuters she thinks the international community needs to act to “save democracy” in Cambodia. She said, “The time for statements has passed. It’s time for sanctions, targeted sanctions. Also suspension of technical aid to the government of Cambodia.”

The lawmaker suggested sanctions could include visa restrictions⁷ on top Cambodian officials. But she added that any restrictions should not target the exports of clothing. Those exports – most of which are sent to the U.S. and European Union – provide work for hundreds of thousands of Cambodian workers.

In answer, a government spokesman said there was no reason for any country to place sanctions on Cambodia.

“This is a sovereign state and it will protect its sovereignty,” the spokesman said. He said he could not comment on possible future arrests because they are handled by the judiciary.

Human rights groups say Hun Sen’s government uses its control over the judicial⁸ system to frighten its political opponents and activists⁹. The U.S. State Department reported in 2016 of major human rights problems in Cambodia.

Phil Robertson is deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch. He commented on the situation in a statement released Wednesday. He said if CNRP leaders are forced out of Cambodia before next year’s election, it would, in his words, “effectively mean the death of Cambodian democracy.”

He said no one doubts that Hun Sen can order immediate¹⁰ violence by the military and police. In his words, Hun Sen, “controls all the levers in Cambodia’s kangaroo courts. The 2018 election is going to be neither free nor fair under these circumstances.”

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

impact – n. the effect a person, event or situation has on someone or something

sanction – n. action taken to make a country obey a rule or law

sovereign – adj. having independent power to govern

judiciary – n. all the judges in a country

doubt – v. to be unsure about something

lever – n. device used to control something

kangaroo courts – n. a court that uses unfair methods or is not a proper court of law

circumstances – n. facts or events that make a situation the way it is

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 repression   

n.镇压，抑制，抑压

参考例句：

• The repression of your true feelings is harmful to your health.压抑你的真实感情有害健康。
• This touched off a new storm against violent repression.这引起了反对暴力镇压的新风暴。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

5 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

6 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

7 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

8 judicial   

adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的

参考例句：

• He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
• Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

9 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。