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CAMBODIA-POLITICS-EU-RIGHTS
Cambodia to ease grip on opposition, media as EU threats loom
PHNOM PENH, Dec 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Cambodia said Monday that banned
opposition members may be allowed back into political life and shuttered
media outlets could reopen as the EU considers pulling a trade deal the
country is loath to lose.
Numerous activists, journalists and government critics were released from
jail in the months after strongman Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party won all
parliamentary seats in July elections held without the main opposition party.
But the concessions did not deter the European Union from threatening in
October to suspend trade benefits in the wake of the vote — a move that
would cripple the country’s billion-dollar garment industry, its largest
formal employer.
Though Hun Sen has balked at the idea that international pressure can
force his hand, analysts say the Cambodian leader is in a tough spot with the
EU and has to ease up on dissent to avoid losing the preferences.
The Supreme Court dissolved the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in a
ruling a year ago as Hun Sen homed in on critics before the vote, accusing
the party’s leader of attempting to overthrow the government.
More than 100 CNRP members were banned from politics, many of whom fled
the country or retreated from public affairs.
But Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that in the
spirit of national reconciliation and to broaden democratic space parliament
was reviewing legislation allowing “individuals who were banned from politics
to resume their political activities”.
The statement did not mention the EU deal but said court cases involving
unions could be expedited and news outlets like the feisty English-language
Cambodia Daily could be allowed to return if it paid errant tax bills.
It added that US-backed Radio Free Asia, which also shut during escalating
pressure on the media, was welcome to reopen its office.
Cambodia “cherishes promotion of freedom of press and freedom of
expression”, the ministry said.
Media advocates contend audits were used to pressure outlets to cease
operations last year and plug up independent reporting before the election.
Rights groups fear Cambodia is sliding towards authoritarianism with the
help of China, which showers the government with loans and infrastructure
while asking few questions about how Hun Sen runs the country.
The leader has been in power for 33 years using a mix of wily political
gambits and networks of alliances in the army and police. Monday’s statement
did not bring up Kem Sokha, the co-founder of the CNRP who was accused of
treason during the crackdown and is now living under conditions that resemble
house arrest.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1636 hrs