Roundtable Discussion: Cambodia Democracy in Crisis
The recent collapse of democracy in Cambodia has raised grave concern for regional trends in the Asia region. It is time for the international community to take what happened in Cambodia as a stress signal to take action.
Leading up to the general election on 29 July 2018, Prime Minister Hun Sen has violated fundamental rights and disregarded democratic principles to stronghold the elections in order to maintain his 33 year reign over the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Since 2016, the Hun Sen government, the majority ruled by the Cambodia People’s Party (CPP), has severely cracked down on dissent of human rights defenders and independent media by either shutting down institutions or detaining them.
In addition, leading opposition party the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has been under constant attack by Hun Sen and CPP to delegitimize the party. Last September, CNRP President Kem Sokha was imprisoned and charged for plotting to overthrow the state. Then in December 2017, the supreme court of Cambodia ruled to dissolve the major opposition party CNRP, leaving Hun Sen an uncontested election in 2018.
In order to protest the state of democracy and the rigged elections, the people of Cambodia has attempted to boycott the elections. However, the government brought in the armed forces to intimidate and force the people to cast their votes. Fake election monitors were disbursed to legitimize the elections. The international community has denounced the results and process of the elections and declared that it was not fair, transparent, nor free.
What will it take for Cambodia to rebuild democracy?
Cambodia expert Professor Yeonsik Jeong from Changwan University and Mu Shochua, the Vice President of CNRP will be having a roundtable discussion on the prospects of democracy in Cambodia and the role of civil society.
Date: August 9, 2018 (Thu) 7 pm.
Location: Jahamun-ro 9-gil 16, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), 2nd Floor Areumdree Hall, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Organizers: Korean House for International Solidarity(KHIS), People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy(PSPD), Asia Democracy Network(ADN)
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