By Reuters
April 30, 20265:28 AM GMT+1Updated 14 hours ago
Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha greets as he leaves the Municipal Court of Phnom Penh, Cambodia January 16, 2020. REUTERS/Samrang Pring/ File Photo
Summary
Kem Sokha gets additional 5-year travel ban added to 27-year term
Crackdown wipes out Cambodia's opposition, ruling CPP uncontested
Western embassies disappointed, urge Cambodia to create space for opposition
Summary
Kem Sokha gets additional 5-year travel ban added to 27-year term
Crackdown wipes out Cambodia's opposition, ruling CPP uncontested
Western embassies disappointed, urge Cambodia to create space for opposition
PHNOM PENH, April 30 (Reuters) - A Cambodian appeals court on Thursday upheld a 27-year sentence for former opposition leader Kem Sokha for his treason conviction, his lawyer said, another blow to an opposition decimated by the ruling party's long-running crackdown.
Kem Sokha, 72, co-founder of the defunct Cambodia National Rescue Party, has been held under house arrest since he was found guilty of treason in March 2023. He was accused of conspiring with a foreign power to topple then-premier Hun Sen.
The court upheld that verdict and banned Kem Sokha from leaving Cambodia for five years once his term ends, his lawyer said.
"We regret this decision," Pheng Heng told reporters. "Under this circumstance, the government ruled by the Cambodian People's Party should seek national reconciliation and today's decision is not as expected."
Kem Sokha's case was among the most prominent in a sweeping crackdown on opponents of the CPP, which has ruled the Southeast Asian country for more than four decades. The United States said at the time that his conviction was based on "fabricated conspiracy theories".
Kem Sokha is one of only a few top opposition figures who remain in Cambodia, with many having fled to avoid arrest following the Supreme Court's 2017 decision to ban the CNRP, which came ahead of an election in which it had been expected to mount a serious challenge.
OPPOSITION CRUSHED
Cambodia has since held mass trials involving more than 100 opposition figures, with many jailed in absentia on treason and incitement charges, prompting condemnation from activists and Western countries.
All attempts by remnants of the opposition to regroup have been crushed, ensuring the past two elections were virtually one-horse races, with CPP holding almost all legislative seats.
Cambodia's government, now headed by Hun Manet, the U.S.- and British-educated son of the still influential ex-premier Hun Sen, denies targeting opponents and says those convicted were law-breakers.
Notable Cambodian dissidents in exile include fellow CNRP co-founders Sam Rainsy, who has lived in France since 2016, and Mu Sochua, now in the United States.
Several Western embassies in Cambodia expressed disappointment with Thursday's outcome, with Britain calling for Kem Sokha to be released to "help strengthen democracy in Cambodia".
Germany's ambassador Stefan Messerer on X said the ruling "does not dispel the concerns that have accompanied these proceedings over many years".
Australia's ambassador Derek Yip described the outcome on X as "deeply disappointing", adding "we urge Cambodia to take steps to expand civic space and create the conditions for genuine, contested elections."
Reporting by Reuters Staff; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by David Stanway
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
1 comment:
Khmer people should stop crying and complaining about Hun Sen. They have to fight for social justice. The first step is fighting for free and fair elections by peacefully marching in 2027 to demand that the government free all political prisoners, reform the National Election Committee (NEC), and reinstate the CNRP If Khmer people are afraid to do this peaceful demonstration, they must stop crying and continuing to live under this ignorant Hun Sen's foot.
Khmer people must select a just cause and the right time to fight.
How to transfer the power peacefully and successfully in Cambodia?
Hun Sen was installed by Vietnam to serve Vietnam’s interest, Hun Sen never hesitated to do whatever was necessary to please his masters and maintain his grip on power.
Many Khmer people have lamented that we cannot win through a general election. This has been true when we have allowed Hun Sen to do whatever he wanted.
For example, in 2017, we allowed Hun Sen to dissolve the CNRP without facing any consequences
To overcome this major obstacle, we must pick a just cause to fight for.
Notice that the commune election will be held in 2027 and the general election in 2028.
In early 2027, the Khmer people should stage a peaceful demonstration to demand the release of all political prisoners, NEC reforms, and the reinstatement of the CNRP.
Should our requirements remain unaddressed, we intend to maintain our protest activities, which may impact the upcoming electoral process.
Without an acceptable resolution, our peaceful demonstrations will continue to highlight these issues throughout the election period.
We have allowed Hun Sen to manipulate the election, abuse the constitution, and violently suppress Khmer patriots at will.
This time, Khmer people should be ready to sacrifice their lives through a peaceful demonstration for their highest priority: the freedom to vote. No more backdown if we want to see a different outcome from our peaceful demonstration. Our unwavering determination and willingness to die will honor our Khmer heroes like Venerable Sam Bunthoeun, Chea Vichea, Chhut Vuthy, and Dr. Kem Ley
In short, our goal is to get a free and fair election. Is this too much to ask?
Therefore, the peaceful demonstration must take place before the election, NOT AFTER when Hun Sen declares that he is the winner of a fraudulent contest.
We cannot make the same mistake for over 40 years and expect to get a different result. We must make the government abide by the constitution.
The dissolution of the CNRP was unconstitutional. We got to fight through a peaceful demonstration BEFORE the election to get the CNRP reinstated..
In this world, freedom is not free. We must pay some price to get it.
A free and fair election is the only way to change the power in Cambodia. The PEOPLE’S REVOLUTION will open the door for Vietnam and Thailand to directly or indirectly interfere and put a new puppet to serve their interests.
The means to achieve a free and fair election is a peaceful demonstration before the election, demanding that the government release all political prisoners, comprehensively reform the NEC, and reinstate the CNRP.
Then we join the election process. Win or lose, we will gracefully accept it because we do it the right way.
If Hun Sen is a Khmer, facing Thailand’s aggression and Vietnam’s influence, he must strengthen Khmer solidarity by voluntarily promoting a free and fair election so that Khmer people can select a competent and popular leader to save Cambodia during this turbulent time. By promoting a free and fair election, Hun Sen will leave a great legacy behind for the future.
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