August 19, 2009By Chak Sopheap, Guest Commentary
United Press International
Niigata, Japan — In a true democracy, freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. In Cambodia, however, repeated violations of this right by the government to silence critics are jeopardizing the pace of democracy.
The arrest and imprisonment of many human rights activists since the end of 2005 and early 2006 have been a big setback for democracy in Cambodia. Activists like Kem Sokha, former president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights and president of the Human Rights Party; Yeng Virak, executive director of the Community Legal Education Center; Mom Sonando, founder of Beehive Radio; and Pa Ngoun Teang, former director of the Cambodia Center for Human Rights’ Voice of Democracy radio and current president of the Cambodian Center for Independent Media have been imprisoned on charges ranging from defaming the government to promoting freedom of expression.
Many other prominent activists, including politicians like Sam Rainsy of the Sam Rainsy Party, have fled overseas for fear of being arrested by the government.
Following many appeals from international and local nongovernmental organizations and pressure from the international community, the Cambodian government has released the activists and promised to decriminalize defamation charges levied against them.
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