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CAMBODIA-POLITICS-DISSENT-RIGHTS
Cambodian opposition activists sentenced for treason
PHNOM PENH, Sept 24, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Seven Cambodian activists have been
handed jail sentences for treason over comments posted online supporting an
exiled opposition figure, their lawyer said Thursday, deepening the kingdom’s
crackdown on dissent.
Sam Rainsy, who has lived in France since 2015 to avoid prison for
convictions he says are politically motivated, has promised to return to
Cambodia.
But an attempted homecoming in November was thwarted by strongman Prime
Minister Hun Sen, who labelled it a “coup attempt” and sent out arrest
warrants to neighbouring countries.
Opposition activists accused of posting supportive messages last year
about Rainsy’s return were this week sentenced on “charges of treason” in
eastern Tboung Khmum province, lawyer Sam Sokong told AFP Thursday.
Four in hiding were sentenced to seven years in absentia, with warrants
issued for their arrest, while another activist given the same sentence is
already in prison.
“This is very unjust for my clients,” Sokong said, adding that he would
appeal against the sentences.
Two other opposition activists charged with treason were given five-year
suspended sentences and would not have to serve out their jail terms, the
lawyer said.
The pair have since defected to the ruling party.
The United Nations says Cambodia has arrested 24 human rights campaigners
since late July.
Those detained include opposition activists, environmental campaigners and
rappers whose songs discussed social issues.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan defended the government’s crackdown,
saying the arrests were to “prevent chaos and to ensure order and regularity
of people’s lives”.
But Am Sam Ath, deputy director of local human rights group Licadho, called
the trend “worrisome”.
“We can see the political situation is getting tense,” he said.
The UN human rights office earlier this month said there had been a
“deepening of the government’s intolerance to dissent and repression of the
rights to freedom of expression”.
Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985, is one of the world’s longest
serving leaders.
BSS/AFP/RY/12:08hrs