PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian court has sentenced prominent opposition politician Rong Chhun to four years in prison for incitement, marking another step in the ongoing efforts to suppress dissent against Prime Minister Hun Manet’s government. This ruling was made on Monday, October 23, 2023, and follows a pattern of legal actions against political figures deemed a threat to the ruling regime.
Rong Chhun is a key advisor for the Nation Power Party, which was recently established. He was convicted of inciting social unrest in connection with his interactions with villagers who were displaced due to governmental construction initiatives, such as the new Phnom Penh International Airport. Alongside the prison sentence, he has also been barred from running for office and from voting in future elections. Chhun, who is 56 years old, has denied the accusations, asserting that his activities included sharing photos and remarks on Facebook about his meetings with the affected villagers.
After the verdict, Rong Chhun stated, “This is not a law enforcement issue. It’s about politics.” He plans to appeal the ruling within a month while remaining free during this period. The use of incitement charges is a common tactic employed by Cambodian authorities to target dissenters. Previously, in 2021, Chhun was sentenced to two years in prison on similar incitement charges for allegedly spreading false information concerning Cambodia's border with Vietnam after meeting with local farmers. He was released later that same year by an appeals court.
The Cambodian government has faced long-standing accusations of exploiting the judicial system to harass and silence critics and political adversaries. Officials assert they uphold the rule of law within a framework of electoral democracy. However, political organizations perceived as strong challengers to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party have often been systematically dissolved, and their leaders subjected to imprisonment or intimidation. The political landscape became increasingly oppressive under former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who ruled for nearly 40 years and was often criticized for severe human rights violations, including the suppression of free speech and assembly.
Hun Sen was succeeded in August 2023 by his son, Hun Manet, who was educated in the United States. Despite this transition, signs of political liberalization have been minimal. Just last year, Sun Chanthy, the president of the Nation Power Party, received a two-year prison sentence for inciting social disorder. Chanthy was previously a prominent figure in the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was anticipated to pose a significant challenge to Hun Sen’s party in the 2018 elections. However, the high court invalidated the party as part of a broader crackdown on opposition forces.
Sun Chanthy later joined the Candlelight Party, a successor to the dissolved party, but that organization was also barred from participating in the 2023 general elections due to a technicality. Subsequently, he collaborated with Rong Chhun and others to form the Nation Power Party at the end of 2023.
After his sentencing, Rong Chhun expressed no surprise at the verdict and reaffirmed his commitment to "actively protect the constitution." He encouraged his fellow Nation Power Party members to remain steadfast during his imprisonment, stating, “Let’s not lose heart. We must all be strong.” His resolve highlights the precarious situation for opposition figures in Cambodia, suggesting that the fight for political reform and freedom of expression in the country is far from over.
