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| Ven. Luon Sovath (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post) |
Human rights advocate and monk Luon Sovath says the country’s leaders are to blame for widespread poverty and suffering.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Radio Australia News
An outspoken Cambodian monk has accused government officials of human rights violations in the country and says he is willing to risk death for his activist campaign.
Luon Sovath, also known as the ‘Multimedia Monk’ for capturing human rights violations in Cambodia on film, says leaders have attempted to silence hism for advocacy of social injustice coupled with Buddhist teachings.
“The government brings Cambodia to suffering and doesn’t develop happiness for the people,” he said on Connect Asia.
He says he has been the subject of arrest, beating, death threats and defrocking as a monk for the teachings he calls “Engaged Buddhism”.
In April, the ruling body for Buddhist monks in Cambodia prevented the monk from attending or preaching outside temples in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
“I am only following Buddhism rules,” he said. “It’s non-violent, just peace for peace sake, also for the human rights law and democracy. The government should be happy for my activity but they worry and are angry and dismiss me, accuse me and arrest me.”
The Multimedia Monk has become a spokesman for social injustices since his involvement in a 2009 land protest where police open fired on civilians, wounding four people.
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