Inextricably intertwined with its violent history, modern Cambodia is a product of events that transpired decades ago. Led by Pol Pot and influenced by his interpretation of Marxism-Leninism, the Khmer Rouge ruled between 1975 and 1979, committing crimes against humanity, which killed nearly a quarter of Cambodia’s population. With the intervention of Vietnamese troops in 1979, the signing of the Comprehensive Cambodian Peace Agreements on 23 October 1991, and the deployment of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), the hope was that Cambodia would be able to restore peace and look ahead to the future. UNTAC’s aim was to bring about democracy, though the UN overestimated its ability to inspire democratic change. Poor organisation coupled with the mission’s short timeframe meant that once UNTAC had departed, state institutions were still not secure.
This has become increasingly more evident in the contemporary period as Cambodia is rapidly returning to a one-party state. Prime Minister Hun Sen, a former member of the Khmer Rouge and the president of the Cambodian’s People Party (CPP), is one of the longest-serving leaders in the world, having been in power since 1985. Described as a “wily operator who destroys his political opponents,” Sen has acquired and maintained authoritarian power through violence and corruption.
A ONE-PARTY STATE
Cambodia’s brief involvement with democracy ended in 2018 when it officially became a one-party state. The CPP won every parliamentary seat in the 2018 election, which was described as illegitimate by nations like the United States, Japan, and Australia. The CPP’s main political rival, the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), was dissolved in November 2017 by the Supreme Court, following the arrest of its leader, Kem Sokha, on treason charges. Sokha was also accused of being a part of a foreign plot to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen. These charges have been described as baseless, though if found guilty Kem Sokha could face up to thirty years in prison.
Subsequently, the CNRP lost all 489 commune chiefs and all of its seats in the National Assembly. Additionally, 118 senior officials were banned from joining politics for five years. Many of the party’s former officials, including its vice president, Mu Sochua, fled Cambodia for fear of arrest. Persecution against former CNRP members and opposition activists is still happening.
ABUSIVE GENERALS
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s authoritarian rule is further strengthened by the unfaltering support of senior officials in the police and the army. Brad Adams, the executive director of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch, states that “the importance of Cambodia’s generals has become even more apparent with the massive crackdown in the past two years against journalists, political opponents, and anti-government protesters”. Opposition figures, political opponents, journalists, and others have been targeted and killed in politically-motivated attacks. In many cases, it is common knowledge that those responsible for the attacks are members of the security forces. Often, however, it is a fall guy who is prosecuted, while superiors evade investigation and those who show loyalty are promoted. Kem Ley, a political activist and government critic, was shot dead in Phnom Penh in what police said was a “dispute over money”. His assassination came days after he had heavily criticised Hun Sen and his family.
A Law on Public Order was published by the Ministry of Interior in July 2020, which will further allow Hun Sen’s generals to commit human rights violations. The draft law contains provisions that breach the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, disproportionately targeting women and other marginalised groups in Cambodia. Amnesty International says that “this proposed law is a blatant effort by the Cambodian government to expand its arbitrary control over the everyday lives of people in Cambodia” and that “it would further empower private security contractors with a track record of abusing human rights and [harassment]”.
THREAT AND POLITICAL REPRESSION
23 October 2020 marked the 29th anniversary of the Cambodian Comprehensive Peace Agreements. Protests occurred in front of the Chinese, French, and US embassies, where protesters attempted to deliver petitions requesting the Cambodian government respect the Paris Agreements. Protesters were dragged away by security forces and police. CNRP activists Ton Nymul, Lim San, and Yory Sreymom were arrested and charged with incitement to commit a felony. Four security officers carried Sath Pha, the cousin of detained opposition activist Heng Sothy, by her limbs away from the Chinese embassy. Journalists reporting for independent media outlets were threatened by the security forces who demanded that all footage must be deleted. Following these protests, Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened the family of Ho Vann, an exiled CNRP lawmaker. Hun Sen has also allegedly been spying on the Zoom calls of CNRP members.
The actions and words of Prime Minister Hun Sen set the tone for human rights violations. Decades after the signing of the agreement, Cambodia remains dangerously divided, leading to questioning of the legacy of UNTAC and potentially illustrating the limitations of UN intervention. The international community, however, must not give up on Cambodia.
Emma has a Master's degree in International Relations (Terrorism and Political Violence) from the University of Birmingham. She has a specific interest in the international order, specifically geopolitics and the importance of multilateralism to rising global challenges such as refugee crises and international human rights. She is pursuing a career in international relations and research.