Democracy is under threat in Cambodia. In the run-up to the general elections next year, longstanding Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen recently closed down several media outlets operating within the country.
The closure of various independent media outlets in Cambodia in the past month has garnered international attention as the Cambodian government received criticism from various media outlets, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), human rights councils and governments.In a much publicised case, The Cambodia Daily – an independent bilingual newspaper – was forced to shut down after it was slapped with a 6.3 million dollars tax bill, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen telling the newspaper to
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent crackdown on dissent is expected to affect business sentiments in the country, which relies largely on international tourism. While such a move could send a negative signal to investors, it is unlikely to have any visible impact on FDI (foreign direct investment) flows into Cambodia.Cambodia, one of the fastest growing economies in Asia has achieved an average growth rate of 7.6 percent between 1994 and 2015, ranking sixth in the world.
The future of Cambodia’s political landscape is undoubtedly looking bleak. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled since 1985 is known to silence critics and hold the media on a tight leash especially with national elections scheduled for next year.
The arrest of Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha on Sunday drew criticism from the mass public and many other international organisations. Kem Sokha, who is the opposition leader of the CNRP (Cambodia National Rescue Party), has been charged with treason and espionage on September 5, 2017.According to a statement released by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, the Cambodian opposition leader could face a jail term of up to 30 years if convicted.
A Cambodian court on Tuesday charged opposition leader Kem Sokha with treason and espionage over an alleged conspiracy with unnamed foreigners, as strongman premier Hun Sen intensifies his assault on his political enemies.Opponents of Hun Sen, as well as NGOs (Non-governmental organisations) and the critical press, have increasingly been smothered by court cases and threats before a crucial general election next year.Kem Sokha, 64, a veteran opposition politician who has formally led the CNRP
"A @cambodiadaily friend says: I can't find a single paper in the city. Seller said, not only you who are looking for it but hundreds others," reads one of Jodie DeJonge's recent tweets on popular social media platform, Twitter. Following a recent crackdown on independent media by the Cambodian government, she will now be remembered as "the last editor" of The Cambodia Daily.
Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha was arrested early Sunday and accused of treason, the latest in a flurry of prosecutions brought against critics and rivals of strongman premier Hun Sen.His surprise overnight detention raises the stakes as Hun Sen's political opponents, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and the critical press are smothered by court cases and threats ahead of a crunch general election next year.Hun Sen, 65, is determined to extend his three-decade rule and disman
