Cambodia’s government asks the courts to abolish the opposition
That might be handy in next year’s election
The Economist | 13 October 2017
THE Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) is nothing if not hardy. The main opposition to the government of Hun Sen, Cambodia’s strongman of 32 years, it and its precursors have long been subject to official harassment. Its first leader, Sam Rainsy, has fled the country several times to escape defamation charges brought by Mr Hun Sen, most recently in 2015. His successor, Kem Sokha, was arrested last month on trumped-up treason charges. The courts, the army and other arms of the state openly favour the governing Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
Before local elections in June the defence minister declared that the army would “smash the teeth” of anyone who protested against the outcome, as CNRP supporters did in 2013, a few months after a narrow election loss. Yet the CNRP still managed to win 46% of the popular vote, not far behind the CPP’s 51%. That doubtless made the government nervous about parliamentary elections scheduled for July. At any rate, it is taking more radical steps to deal with its pesky opponents.
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On October 6th the government asked the Supreme Court to dissolve the CNRP altogether, on the grounds that it was part of a foreign plot to overthrow Mr Hun Sen (pictured). The prime minister has often accused foreign powers of seeking to foment a “colour revolution” against him. But the only evidence anyone has produced to substantiate this idea is a video of Mr Kem Sokha speaking to Cambodians living in Australia in 2013. In it he describes how he has received advice from America on how best to oppose the government—something that does not seem remotely inappropriate for a member of the opposition. One American group that has provided training to the CNRP, the National Democratic Institute, points out that it has also given advice on party politics to the CPP. That did not stop the government from expelling it from Cambodia in August.
Mr Hun Sen, who has vowed to remain prime minister for another decade, says more arrests are coming. The army, a human-rights activist notes, has been using live ammunition in training exercises while shooting at dummies representing protesters. About half the CNRP’s 55 MPs have fled the country, says one of them, Mu Sochua, a deputy leader of the party.
The international response has been muted. Western embassies offer statements and sighs. Two American senators have introduced a resolution, yet to be voted on, asking their government to consider barring certain Cambodians from visiting America. Meanwhile China, Cambodia’s biggest donor and investor, “supports the Cambodian government’s efforts to protect national security and stability”.
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