Facebook Inc. doesn’t want to be drawn into a political dispute between the ruling and opposition parties of Cambodia.
With the Cambodian national elections coming in less than six months’ time, Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy has called for a boycott. Sam Rainsy, who is currently on a self-imposed exile criticised the Hun Sen administration for not allowing the opposition to run for elections. "If they don't allow our party to participate, our supporters will not participate. Our call for a boycott is conditional.
The visit of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dato Lim Jock Hoi to Siem Reap on 4 April is indicative of the bloc’s positive impression towards Cambodia. Dato Lim was full of praise for the country and its leader, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen due to the big strides that has been made in terms of socio-economic development. Cambodia is one of the fastest growing member states in ASEAN with an improved quality of life.
“To dignify what happened as “polls” is to give them too much credit. The Soviet Union also held elections. No-one believes they were free and fair.”That was Associate Professor of Diplomacy and World Affairs at Occidental College, Los Angeles, Sophal Ear’s reaction towards Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s sweeping victory in last week’s Senate elections.Cambodia has dominated the headlines over the past few months for a variety of reasons.
2018 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Cambodia and China. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Cambodia in January 2018 and oversaw the signing of 19 new deals to celebrate this milestone.
Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen’s authoritarian crackdown has rendered his critics defenceless. His last major blow to the opposition was the dissolution of the main opposition party, the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP). Media outlets, analysts and international observers have been quick to wag their fingers at Hun Sen. Indeed, his actions has understandably dealt a death knell to Cambodia’s democracy.
Chief on the almanac for Cambodia next year is the general elections.
Two sides of women’s rightsThis week, The ASEAN Post reported on Malaysia’s increased efforts to add women to boardrooms in 2018.
Throughout the whole year, a number of independent media outlets in Cambodia have been shut down for various reasons given by the government.
Singapore’s 2018 ASEAN chairmanshipThis week, Singapore announced its priorities going into 2018 as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
With Beijing smiling down upon him – showering the developing country with investments minus any obligations to human rights and democracy – Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen continues his iron fist rule without any fear of opposition.His most blatantly undemocratic move was to dissolve the existing opposition party, the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) which was met with immense condemnation by the western world.Now, he is going after the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), a lea
Over the last year, Cambodia’s ruling party, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), has dramatically increased its pressure on its political opponents and civil society. Democracy in Cambodia has always been fraught, and elections are not completely free and fair.
