Ex-CNRP activist Meach Sovannara (right), seen at the Supreme Court last year, congratulated Prime Minister Hun Sen on his wedding anniversary in a bid to shorten his prison term. Pha Lina |
Activist makes ‘soft’ bid for pardon by congratulating Hun Sen on anniversary
Phnom Penh Post | 8 January 2018
Jailed ex-opposition figure Meach Sovannara has written a letter
congratulating Prime Minister Hun Sen on his recent wedding anniversary
in an apparent bid to secure a reduction in his 20-year prison term.
Sovannara has spent the past three years in jail, and was sentenced
to two decades behind bars for leading a so-called “insurrection” at
Freedom Park after a demonstration there turned violent in 2014.
“Highly respected Samdech! Prisoners of conscience are like a poor
bird in a cage waiting for someone with divine power,” he wrote, adding
that he and 14 other prisoners have nothing to offer the premier but “a
drop of blood in this dark prison”.
“I almost forget the birthday of my wife and my youngest beloved
daughter, but I, Meach Sovannara, still remember the special day for you
Samdechs, the 5th of January which transformed from the days of
struggling together to be a day of happiness together.”
The dual Cambodian-US citizen’s letter comes more than two months
after the release of former opposition Senator Hong Sok Hour, who wrote a conciliatory letter
to the premier last September apologising for posting an inaccurate
version of a border treaty with Vietnam, which landed him in prison for
“forgery” and “incitement”. Sovannara’s missive, however, stops short of
making an apology.
Sovannara’s assistant, Chhim Kim Try, verified the authenticity of
the prison letter, adding it was intended as a “soft” request for a
pardon. “In reality, his attempt was to get a pardon, but he cannot make
a request frankly,” Kim Try said. “The meaning is that he is playing
soft to look for a solution.”
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said any pardon was “up to
the prime minister”, even though such pardons are formally signed by
the King, adding that there are no political prisoners in Cambodia – not
even jailed Cambodia National Rescue Party President Kem Sokha, who was
arrested on allegations of “treason” last September. The party, which Sovannara also belonged to, was dissolved in November for allegedly fomenting “revolution”.
“They are put in jail according to their own motives if they do
something against the law,” Siphan said. “Some groups see political
motives, but the judge sees something different.”
Siphan suggested Sovannara would have to serve at least a third of
his 20 years in prison before he would be considered for a pardon, but
legal expert Sok Sam Oeun said pardons had been delivered with no time
served – for example, the pardon of Funcinpec President Prince Norodom
Ranariddh in 2008.
“I don’t think that just this letter can help, unless there is
somebody to lobby for him . . . some close person with the family of the
prime minister, or maybe embassy people,” Sam Oeun said, adding that it
could “depend on the political situation and foreign relations
pressure”.
Political analyst Ou Virak said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if
Sovannara were released, despite the current anti-American sentiment and
opposition crackdown.
“Strategically, the opposition movement has been neutralised. It’s
time to just make sure there [are] no major reactions or sanctions from
the international community,” Virak said.
“Releasing political prisoners would make sense. There needs to be
. . . calm now. Prisoners’ release before the election is not
unprecedented,” he added, referring to this year’s scheduled national
ballot. “In fact, it’s been the case in previous elections.”
TO SAVE CAMBODIA, KHMER PEOPLE MUST STOP THIS FAKE 2018 ELECTION
ReplyDeleteThe hyena Hun Sen is simply a tool for the evil Yuon Vietnam to use to swallow Cambodia.
Khmer people, if they really love Cambodia, should step up their efforts and courage denouncing Ah Kwack Hun Sen's recent unconstitutional acts such as the dissolution of the CNRP.
To save Cambodia from Yuon's annexation, Khmer people need to take some concrete steps to prevent this one eye monster Hun Sen from stealing the election:
- Seven days before the 2018 election, Khmer people have to mount a nationwide peaceful protestation condemning the dissolution of the CNRP and firmly demand the REINSTATEMENT of the CNRP.
- Demand that all political prisoners who were wrongfully persecuted by Hun Sen must be
exonerated.
- Demand that the newly created party laws must be rescinded as well.
Notice that we start making the demonstration 7 days prior the election date and go on peacefully until the election day - MAKING THE ELECTION IMPOSSIBLE. We must have a rigid discipline to stay peaceful, bravely weathering Hun Sen's violent suppression. This is the right time to sacrifice our life while the international community is ready to support our struggle for justice.
If there was no election, Hun Sen and his master Yuon, under heavy international pressure, will have no choice but to reinstate the CNRP so that it could participate in this upcoming election.
Nothing will drop from the sky to help us. We must exert our concert efforts to stop this illegitimate election from happening
Hun Sen is so cheap. He will grab the power after the election, no matter how low the people turn out at the polling stations.
So, if there is no CNRP, there will be NO ELECTION. Khmer people must make it happens.
Bun Thoeun
Bun Thoeun, I demand you go to the Fredom Square and do some demonstration, some protest. You are all talks and no action.
DeleteThose two guys look very violent. Lock them up for good.
ReplyDeleteAnd lock you up, too, Vietcong poster @Anonymous6:04 AM.
DeleteOnly you, a Yuon slave @Anonymous6:04 AM, need to be locked up.
Delete