Cambodia: Twenty Years On

GENEVA – “Twenty years ago, the Paris Peace Agreements set down a clear vision of a new Cambodia built on the bedrock of human rights, democracy and the rule of law,” recalled the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Surya P. Subedi, on the twentieth anniversary of the pacts that started the process of bringing peace to Cambodia after two decades of conflict.

“Cambodia has undeniably progressed over the past twenty years, with peace and stability bringing enormous dividends in terms of wealth and development. Institutions have been established and laws written,” Mr. Subedi said. “However the challenge remains in the implementation of many of these laws and proper functioning of these institutions.”

'...a new Cambodia built on the bedrock of human rights, democracy and the rule of law,”

Hmmm, how's that looking?

Human rights?

Restrictions on free speech and a near-blanket ban on demonstrations. '... the Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted Seng Kunnaka of the UN World Food Program in Phnom Penh and sentenced him to six months in prison. He was charged with incitement under article 495 of the new penal code for printing and sharing a Web article critical of senior government officials. At year's end, Seng was serving his sentence in prison.'

Human trafficking is largely ignored by some in the police and government in return for bribes. After international attention, even the hopelessly corrupt police were, last week, forced to raid the premises of an 'employment agency' that was alleged to be exporting young Cambodian women to Malaysia and a life of slavery. The long-running company is controlled by the wife of a high-ranking police officer.

Arbitrary arrest and detention: 'One in every 10 detainees in pretrial detention was held longer than the legal time limit, sometimes without legal representation or trial.'    ''.. Phnom Penh municipal authorities arrested dozens of persons--usually the homeless, mentally ill, drug users, or commercial sex workers--during systematic street sweeps. Detainees typically lost all money and belongings in the course of a sweep. Lost or stolen by the police?

Democracy?

Observers confirm that Cambodian elections still  do not  meet international standards.

For all intents and purposes the armed forces are used by members of the government or business tycoons  for their own purposes. '...police from Phnom Penh's Dangkor District prevented a group of more than 100 villagers from marching to the prime minister's residence in Takhmao to draw attention to their continuing land dispute with Ministry of Interior official In Samon.'

Many consider that kleptocracy better describes the Cambodian political system.

The Media is largely controlled by the ruling party. The rest are intimidated. 'There were nine domestic television stations and approximately 50 radio stations. All television stations and most radio stations were controlled or strongly influenced by the CPP...'

Rule of Law?

Ho, ho, ho...

Forced evictions without recourse. 'On May 25, a group of military police, provincial police, and soldiers burned the houses of more than 100 villagers in O'Ampil Village, Anlong Veng District, Oddar Meanchey Province. Authorities claimed that the land was part of the Kulen Prumtep Wildlife Sanctuary and that a court ordered the eviction. Military and police agents burned the homes after the villagers refused to leave. Villagers maintained that they purchased the land from the Ministry of Environment in 2000 and that the eviction order should not have been enforced because there were cases pending in the court.'

Forced confessions: '...accused person's statements sometimes were coerced through beatings or threats, and illiterate defendants often were not informed of the contents of written confessions that they were forced to sign.'

The rich and the connected just buy their way out of trouble.  'In many criminal cases, rich or powerful defendants, including members of the security forces, usually paid money to victims and authorities to drop criminal charges against them.'   ''There were no developments in the 2008 case of Brigade 70 Major Meur Bora, who reportedly beat two men following a minor traffic accident, or in the 2008 case of an alleged government bodyguard who shot and killed a woman in a bar.'

Yet, there is no question that economically Cambodia has grown at a dizzying pace. That development has dragged many out of abject poverty. But it's come at a hell of a price. And what happens when that development slows or stops- as it surely will?

~Source http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eap/154381.htm