November 27, 2012
During the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh on November 20, President
Obama asked us to join with U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William E. Todd
in gathering Cambodian human rights organizations to discuss the state
of human rights and civil society in Cambodia.
The courageous individuals we met represented many others who
advocate daily, sometimes at personal risk, for the protection and
strengthening of human rights in Cambodia. Much of our conversation
centered around three issues: land rights, the rule of law, and free
and fair elections.
Samantha Power (left), Valerie Jarrett (center), and Ambassador
William E. Todd meet with Cambodian human rights organizations in Phnom
Penh on November 20, 2012. (Photo from U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh,
Cambodia)
"The National Elections Committee, responsible for organizing free and fair elections, is not seen to be independent."Land tenure issues are a serious problem in Cambodia. Due to the lack of a dependable titling system and a weak judiciary, conflicts frequently arise over land rights. Even more troubling, the Cambodian government has at times forced families to relocate from their homes without due process or compensation. Residents who have protested these steps have been harassed, and some have been arrested and convicted on criminal charges.
Cambodia’s weak judicial system also faces many challenges. Suspects
often spend long periods in pre-trial detention – Cambodian law allows
for such detention for up to six months for misdemeanors and 18 months
for felonies. At times, outspoken activists and opposition politicians
have been given lengthy prison terms based on questionable evidence.
Most notably, a well-known critic of the Prime Minister and owner of an
independent radio station was recently imprisoned for 20 years based on
what many observers described as inadequate evidence. Charges of
defamation or disinformation – or threats of such charges – have been
used as a means to intimidate journalists and human rights activists
alike.
Finally, the Cambodians we met with described the steps that could be
taken to improve a political system in which many Cambodians appear to
have lost faith. The National Elections Committee, responsible for
organizing free and fair elections, is not seen to be independent. There
are also broad concerns that, during the national elections scheduled
for July 2013, Cambodians may be denied the opportunity to choose from
the broadest range of opposition candidates who wish to be part of the
political process.
During our roundtable, Ambassador Todd and we discussed with
Cambodia’s courageous human rights defenders the ways in which the U.S.
Government is working to support their efforts to bring about a more
just and democratic society. The United States aims to strengthen the
demand for democracy, accountability, and human rights – especially
among Cambodian youth – while providing support to NGOs advocating for
political reform. Our embassy sponsors town hall meetings for Cambodians
to discuss areas of concern with their elected officials. U.S.
officials work with local NGOs to investigate land grabbing, illegal
arrest and detention, and obstruction of freedom of expression and
assembly, while providing legal aid to victims. And Ambassador Todd and
his team are helping to build the next generation of leaders through
support for youth civic education -- last year reaching over 370,000
youth through these programs.
Our message to human rights defenders reinforced that of President
Obama, who, when he met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, urged
progress on these very issues, stressing that the promise of Cambodia’s
great people will only be fully realized when human rights are respected
and all voices are heard.
Valerie Jarrett is Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement. Samantha Power is
the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights at the National Security Council.
Source: The White House Blog
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