Phnom Penh (FN), May 4 - Yara Suos, CPP Member of Parliament, sent an open letter in response to UN's report on democracy in Cambodia.
Read Yara Suos's letter below:
A recent news release on 30 April 2018 by the UN regarding democracy in Cambodia extensively and solely quoted the supposedly “neutral” UN envoy Rhona Smit who has made biased views on Cambodia.
Her views are totally unfair for the Cambodian people and they seriously misrepresent the democratic pluralism, which is alive and progressing in Cambodia. More she violates the principles enshrined in the UN charter with regard to the respect of “sovereign equality, territorial integrity and self-determination.”
Rhona Smith’s understanding of democracy and human rights in Cambodia are limited and narrow. Her views are largely in line with those of the outlawed Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). She has proven to be politically biased towards the CNRP. She needs to understand at least the foundations of democracy, which needs to go hand in hand with the rule of law and national security and social order.
The Cambodian government has explained for many times the legal basis of the dissolution of the CNRP. However, Rhona Smith ignores the facts and the explanations made by the government. The Cambodian Constitution states clearly that Cambodia is a liberal and pluralist political system- meaning all political parties are legally entitled to participate freely in politics. We should cherish and respect the Cambodian Constitution- one of the most liberal and democratic in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia can be the beacon of democracy in the Mekong region.
To understand democracy of any country, one needs to study the history, culture and society of that country. Democracy does not fall from the sky. It is a process of effective participation of the people. Rhona Smith ignores the complex history and social system of Cambodia when it comes to evaluation of democratic development. Her views on the Khmer Rouge seemly reflect the Cold War politics without taking into the consideration the internal factors such as power struggle and rivalry between different political factions. Cambodia was the victim of the Cold War because some political groups invited major power(s) to interfere in Cambodia’s domestic politics. Now under the strong and responsible leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Cambodians are enjoying peace and prosperity. The threats to national disunity and instability have been largely eliminated. The CPP is determined to uphold peace and stability at any costs.
Much progress has been made under the leadership of the CPP. However, Rhona Smith does not acknowledge such positive development. Dissolving the CNRP is a matter of implementing the rule of law. Without early intervention, Cambodia might have fallen into chaos and instability. The government will not allow any political force to use its democratic façade to destroy hard-earned peace and stability in the country.
By repeatedly stressing the reinstatement of the CNRP which was dissolved by the Cambodia’s supreme court, Rhona Smith is suggesting that no other parties can replace CNRP and perhaps no politicians are good enough to replace the jailed conspirator Kem Sokha and political serial loser Sam Rainsy who has always been quick to escape for the sanctuary of France every time the going gets tough. Cambodia is being led by tough politicians who stay with the people, fight for them, and risk their lives over the years to seek ways to lead the people toward peace and development which we are enjoying as a country nowadays.
The Cambodian people are determined to follow the path of multiparty democracy and not CNRP-branded democracy. Rhona Smith is an observer with no personal experience in practice and is not a judge on the way Cambodian democracy is conducted. One should not confuse democracy and human rights with interference, forgiving criminal acts and making self-incriminating comments publically and get away with it. The people of Cambodia are proud of their own history, be it a story of glory or a lesson of darkness. They embrace greatness and learn from the dark lesson. But the people want self-determination and fair judgment on their political affairs, not Rhona Smith.
=FRESH NEWS
