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A government spokesman dismissed the letter, saying it did not reflect the true situation in Cambodia. (sic!)
14.11.2012
By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
PHNOM PENH - A
dozen US lawmakers, including Republican Senator John McCain, have
written President Barack Obama, urging him to use an upcoming visit to
Cambodia to push for improvement of the country’s sliding human rights efforts and crackdowns on constitutional freedoms.
The members of Congress cited the killing of environmentalist Chut Wutty in April, the shooting death of a 14-year-old girl in May, the arrest of an independent radio owner and the continued exile of opposition leader Sam Rainsy as evidence that Cambodia’s government under Prime Minister Hun Sen deserves censure.
“Cambodia is becoming a more dangerous place for those who speak out
about these problems,” the lawmakers wrote. “By taking a strong and
public stand in support of human rights and democracy during this
first-time visit by a US president to Cambodia, your words would
encourage and embolden the Cambodian people and send a clear message to
the entire region about American values and expectations, particularly
in the wake of the Arab Spring.”
A government spokesman dismissed the letter, saying it did not reflect the true situation in Cambodia.
But the country has faced increased pressure from the international
community for its degraded freedoms and rights, for politicized courts,
and for ongoing land grabs in both rural and urban areas that have left
many impoverished Cambodians without land or homes.
Posted in: World news
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