Concluding Statement for the Special Election of the Commission of Inquiry for Cambodia, 23 September 2023

We all understand the sad reality that Cambodia faces right now. Hun Sen has solidified his power and has extended his and his family’s autocratic hold on the government by systematically eliminating any meaningful form of political opposition, by misusing the courts and the judicial process to place political leaders and other critics in jail, by closing down the independent media outlets, and by destroying the core institutions of civil society.   

But the key point that the Khmer community needs to understand moving forward, is that these abusive and autocratic actions were the straw that broke the camel’s back, forcing the United Nations and the European Community to take more forceful action challenging the legitimacy of Cambodia’s elections, and the legitimacy of Hun Sen’s dictatorial rule. There is a new and expanding willingness in the international community to speak out more forcefully, and to challenge Hun Sen’s policies and actions. This provides a strong foundation for similar, more effective advocacy actions by the Khmer community. It provides a “new hope” and new opportunities, new forums and platforms at the international level that we can use to promote and demand meaningful change.   

In particular, there are several important forums and platforms that will be opening up to us at the international level, particularly at the United Nations, over the next several months that we have to become involved with, and make use of, in a substantial way. That begins with a series of steps that the United Nations will be taking between September 23 and the end of April of 2024, associated with the UN’s UPR process of Cambodia’s human rights practices, that culminates in an official public hearing where foreign government members of the UN Human Rights Council can and will call Hun Sen to account. We have to play a meaningful and effective advocacy rule in that important process, starting with submitting written complaints and statements of concern about the specific cases and practices that we want the United Nations and its member states to give special attention to. These steps and actions related to the UPR process can help to build the international pressures that will promote meaningful change. 

Second, we have to give additional attention, action and support to the grass-roots initiatives of the Khmer community itself that have been developing in recent months, particularly the Khmer Urgent Action Case Alert System to bring attention to the worst cases of human rights abuse, like the 27 year treason sentence imposed on Kem Sokha, and the five to eight year treason sentences handed down to more than fifty other political leaders and critics, including Theary Seng, by Hun Sen’s Mass Criminal Trials. 

Third, we have to follow the lead of the European Union and put pressure on Hun Sen and his family members where it hurts the most – his own pocketbook. The EU’s imposition of a twenty percent increase in tariffs for imports of Cambodian products by EU countries, has resulted in the closing or substantial reduction in operations of five garment factories since the additional tariffs were imposed. We need to press for additional economic sanctions along these lines, including a consumer boycott of companies benefiting the most from land grabs and other abuses, and an embargo on tourism to Cambodia.   

Fourth, the Khmer community needs to become more actively involved with international meetings, such as the upcoming strategic planning session by international Cambodia experts taking place sometime in early November, so that we have additional ways to make our voices heard, and to “speak truth to power,” and to bring additional attention to our concerns.   

These are the four most immediate ways for the Khmer community to take effective advocacy actions in the next several months. Undoubtedly there will be other opportunities that develop in the future that we have to take advantage of as well. These advocacy opportunities provide the “new hope” that we have been looking for. Ways to say “NO” to Hun Sen’s attempt to make his power absolute, and to pass it on to his son Hun Manet.   

Scrolling across your screen is a short summary description of the four most immediate advocacy steps that the Khmer community can and must take in the coming weeks and months to promote meaningful and effective change. Join with us in giving voice to our concerns, and helping to develop the growing international pressures that are needed to produce change for Cambodia and the Khmer people.