Photo courtesy of World Economic Forum, via Wikimedia Commons
Yesterday, a young Cambodian economist made an observant and frustrated remark on the decline of human rights in her country. In 2006, she pointed out, Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to release four prominent activists (including my former boss, Pa Nguon Teang) after he met with US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill.
So, my friend asked, what happened after Hillary Clinton wrapped up her visit to Phnom Penh last week (and ASEAN concluded its summit in Phnom Penh)? Authorities arrested the outspoken radio broadcaster Mam Sonando on Sunday and charged him under six sections of the penal code. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. Barack Obama’s so-called “pivot,” it seems, is coming with a price as Washington warms up to Southeast Asian autocrats.
One bizarre accusation is that Sonando participated in a secessionist movement in the eastern province of Kratie. The “secession,” though, is really a protest movement against a land grab. In May, a 14-year-old girl was shot dead during a military-style siege of the village; Hun Sen has also involved himself directly in legal proceedings against five villagers, says Human Rights Watch.
Yesterday, I had a quick chat with Mam Sonando’s lawyer, Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, who is head of the Cambodian Defenders Project. He said that Sonando can be held in pre-trial detention for up to 18 months — so any developments are nebulous and hard to predict at this early stage in the investigation. But he was able to reveal some details about the defense he’s building for his client.
First, he noted, Sonando has an alibi. It’s hard to believe he instigated a secessionist movement because “he’s not connected with any people in Kratie. He also said that he never, since he came back to Cambodia, visited or stepped in Kratie province,” the lawyer said.
“Bun Ratha, the leader [an accused protest organizer and the director of the Association of Democrats] there, made a statement from outside that what he did was not connected with Mam Sonando. This will be one part of the defense,” he said. Some more clips from our talk:
“The people are still scared in expressing any opinion more than before. Many people are charged on incitement, like Mam Sonando.”
“I am a human rights lawyer, and if no one dares to take this case, maybe this country will look bad. Yes, I’m a little bit concerned [about government reprisals]. But I only do my profession as a defense lawyer. And if this case has no defense lawyer, it also makes the government look bad.”
Sok Sam Oeun has also defended Prince Norodom Ranariddh and opposition parliamentarian Mu Sochua.
un Sen is the result of 1) over-involvement of regional and international actors’ in brokering peace in Cambodia…to the point that they “settled” with many former khmer rouge and khmer rouge f-tards; 2) international interventionists doing half a job in delivering “democracy” to Cambodia by not upholding the results of the first elections that were clearly not for Hun Sen.
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One should also take into account that there is probably a lot of Chinese “meddling” (or influence if you prefer) in Cambodian politics nowadays. China needs Cambodia and Laos as “pivots” in Southeast Asia. In my opinion, Cambodia’s “new role” was played out quite clearly during the last ASEAN meeting where the countries could not come up with a C.O.C. about the South China Sea disputes.
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China has invested billions of dollars in modern Cambodia, more than any other country by far. There are tens of thousands of China nationals operating and working in Cambodia, more than any other country. China has a thoroughly researched plan for the Mekong and Cambodia is crucial to China’s plan. Human Rights issues, Rule of Law issues, Transparency issues, Corruption issues, ordinary Cambodia people issues are of no concern whatsover to China’s plan for Cambodia.
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China is back in Cambodia as seen in the recent Cambodian veto of the South China Sea communique within ASEAN. With Vietnam increasingly forging ahead with an ever closer relationship with the US, China needs Cambodia and Laos more than ever by throwing in investment money to outflank Vietnam even though these 2 countries have strong military ties with its eastern neighbour.
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re: CLee
China’s influence in Vietnam is evaporating quickly as you point out, with China’s claims over traditional Vietnam fishing grounds, shoals and small islands all the way around the southern tip of Vietnam to almost the Cambodia border adding fuel to the fire.
But also China’s previously almost unassailable position, influence and almost-colonial/imperialist position in Myanmar has deteriorated precipitously in the last year which must be a huge blow for their plans to extend their infrastructure and economic/military influence from Kunming and southwest China into the Indian Ocean.
So, yes, Laos and Cambodia have become even more important and China’s economic and trade masterplan for the Mekong River system/basin must have become a top priority.
In regard to Cambodia, despite China’s huge level of investment and effort, my opinion is that Hun Sen has no particular brand loyalty and will milk China for however much they are willing to spend by continuing to play them off against the U.S., Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Japan from whom Hun Sen will also extract maximum largesse. Most Khmers definitely to not see themselves as Chinese and there is a simmering resentment building up throughout Cambodia, especially around some of the mega-real estate projects that China is involved with.
Laos on the other hand does seem to be totally in China’s embrace, at least under the present system of rule. It’s so simple compared to the other SE Asia countries. Just a few extended families, maybe a few hundred people, signed up, paid off and in China’s pocket with the general population so incredibly impoverished, uneducated, spread out and without any meaningful resources that there seems little anyone can do to stop China’s economic onslaught. Huge open pit mines, industrial-scale mono-crop agriculture, large Chinese-only casino towns, un-impeded import of every type of consumer good, uncontrolled entry of Chinese traders and settlers, etc.
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Firstly, thanks Geoff – really great post.
Secondly, Peter, I think your ideas of Lao foreign relations are a little simplistic, but you make an interesting observation regarding China’s influence in Vietnam and Burma.
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re: Sabai Sabai
It is indeed possible that my comments on Laos are overly simplistic. Could you take a shot at doing a short summary of where Laos stands in regard to China, Thailand, Vietnam, the U.S. and whoever else seems to be trying to have a presence there? To me China’s influence, position and presence is overwhelming, especially compared with U.S. But maybe I am under-estimating the role of Vietnam and Thailand. In any case, I would be interested in and am open to your own and other opinions.
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Looks to me as though the ‘rulers’ of Lao and Cambodia are just selling out to the Chinese.
Of course if anyone else makes an offer, like the EGAT for the Mekong, they’re willing to sell out to others as well. But the Chinese have been the most forthcoming.
I pity the Lao and Cambodian peoples.
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In addition to Cambodia and Laos, the dire circumstances of the Malaysian treasury has seen Malaysia’s silence on the South China Sea issue – thanks to Chinese loans on large infrastructure projects such as the second Penang bridge. The only other credible counterbalance to China would be Indonesia. Thailand at present under PT would be pro-business and there is no doubt on Thaksin’s China credentials.
Say hello to Chinese dominance. Not that there is anything wrong with that whole idea though.
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China dominance inevitable and no big deal? If the way China is throwing its weight around in the South China Sea dispute with Philippines and Vietnam, the methods and manner of China’s dominance of Tibet, I would hardly think the SE Asia countries would want to take a passive and accepting posture towards China dominance.
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Hi Peter,
The way you refer to Laos, re countries trying to have a presence ‘there’, gives the impression you are disparaging about Laos, as though it’s some sort of pawn, which I’m sure is not your intention. In 2009, Vientiane rejected the idea of importing skilled Chinese workers for infrastructure projects in the North. Hardly a feeble, submissive move. All of the surrounding states have significant interests in Laos (Cambodia’s is not quite so economical, understandably), and you would have to be a very senior Lao official to know which country is more influential. If you want to measure influence through economic terms, in 2011 Vietnam became the biggest investor in Laos. The economic benefits of energy deals with Thailand will eventually come to fruition, so that potential must be taken into consideration. The Chinese, Thais and Vietnamese all engage in similar engagement with Vientiane. The US is of course leant on too, with their purported ‘counter-balancing’ strategy re China, being played to Vientiane’s elites advantage. I can understand if your glasses have been tinted red after visiting Boten! However, I don’t like to see unwarranted China-bashing.
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