Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Arab Uprisings a Lesson for Cambodia: Activist

Egypt+protest+02+%2528AP%2529.jpg
An Egyptian protester boy stands in front of army soldiers who try to lead the protesters away from Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt Sunday morning, Feb. 13, 2011. Egypt’s military took down the makeshift tents of protesters who camped out on the square in an effort to allow traffic and normal life to return to central Cairo. (Photo: AP)

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Tuesday, 15 February 2011

“A wise government is one that allows freedom of expression, so that it knows the concerns of the people and their discontent.”

Political repression, restriction on expression and social and economic equity can all act as a “ticking time bomb” for a country’s leadership, a prominent rights activist said Thursday.

Comparing Cambodia’s situation to those of Egypt and Tunisia, which have seen major revolts in recent weeks, Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told “Hello VOA” that all political participants here should work to ensure people’s rights.

“A wise government is one that allows freedom of expression, so that it knows the concerns of the people and their discontent,” he said.

That means all actors, from ordinary citizens and civil society to the opposition and ruling parties, should pay attention to what people are saying.

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