In the new year, 'think better to do better'
Dec 1, 2009
In four weeks, the New Year will be upon us. Usually, around this time of the year, I dust off reading material from my library shelf, looking for something that will energize me for the new year ahead.
A Christmas present from my wife, given several years ago as I settled into my retirement from teaching, "Think Better," by Tim Hurson, a specialist of a firm that provides training, facilitation and consultation in productive thinking and innovation, is, again, what I read: "Your future will depend less on what you know and more on what you think."
A lifelong student, I try to learn something new every day. Since my retirement, each day seems extra special and precious -- for which I give much thanks. I smile as I read what Winston Churchill, who led Britain to victory against the Axis powers in World War II, said: "It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of quotations."
My regular readers know I am a real quotations buff. Some may see them as platitudes, but I find a kernel of truth in those I share in this column. As each presents a way of looking at the world, I learn from them. As 19th century American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Our best thoughts come from others."
Mekong under threat from climate and dams
Click here to listen to the audio program (Windows Media)
The Mekong River is vital as a source of transport, irrigation and fisheries for the millions who live along its banks.
Originating in Tibet, the Mekong river passes either through or by China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. But it is under threat from hydro-electric dams and from climate change
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Milton Osborne, visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney and author of a new paper on the Mekong River
OSBORNE: In terms of climate change, we are still some distance away from seeing a dramatic change, so far as can be determined by the scientific work that is being done to date. One of the big concerns is, if there is a significant rise in sea level, this will certainly affect in a very significant and negative fashion, the Mekong Delta, which is the major agricultural production area for Vietnam. A very small rise in sea level would led to much of the Mekong Delta being inundated. The longer term concern is the glaciers which feed the Mekong River in the highlands of Tibet are melting and that is going to remove the snow melt that feeds the river. But at the same time as that is occurring, with the expectations of climate change, the possibility is that there will be increased precipitation, which could led in 20 years time to increased flooding on the Mekong. So it's a paradoxical sort of development that is occurring in this second case.
LAM: Indeed, so it's a question of too much water and too little water?
OSBORNE: That could be the concern, but are directed into climate change. The more immediate concerns in relation to the river relate to the possibility first of all, that dams will be built on the course of the river below China. There is no actual certainty about when those dams will be built, but there are plans to build up to 11 dams on the river below China and there is the already established problem that is going to arise from the dams China has built. It's already built three and it's planning to build at least another two. In fact another two are currently under construction.
LAM: Indeed, as you point out that China does control a large proportion of the Mekong River and it's of course enormously more powerful than the other regional countries. Are countries like Laos and Cambodia, for instance, talking to China about managing the river, or is China in a position to just simply do whatever it wants?
OSBORNE: Well, in very bold times, China is in a position and has taken the position that it will decide what is done on that section of the river that runs through its territory. And as you rightly say, 44 percent of the river's overall length is in China. There has been very little consultation between China and the downstream countries and in fact, until very recently, the Chinese have been reluctant even to let people from the governments of Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam visit China to examine the dams the Chinese have built.
LAM: What about the role of the Mekong River Commission? Is it an effective body or is it in need of change and reform?
OSBORNE: The Mekong River Commission is unfortunately, very poorly understood by many people who criticise it. It's regarded incorrectly by its critics as a body that has the right to determine what is done by governments in relation to the Mekong River. But that is not the case at all. It is a body which has a very important role, particularly through its Secretariat in providing scientific and technical information about the river, but it has no powers to mandate what any individual government or group of governments should do in relation to the Mekong River.
LAM: But as far as you know, has it made representations to either China or any of the other regional countries?
OSBORNE: No, and it would not under its charter really have the right to do so.
LAM: And Milton Osborne, on a micro-level, fish stocks I understand, in particular, are being threatened.. but are there technical solutions to this?
OSBORNE: Well, I have to take the guidance provided by scientists so far as technical issues are concerned. And scientists have looked very carefully at whether or not it is possible to overcome the barriers that dams built on the river will provide, if these dams do come to be constructed, to see whether there're ways of mitigating the dams' fact of preventing migration by fish. There are some 900 species of freshwater fish in the Mekong, which at least 80 percent are migratory, moving over long distances. So that if you have dams in the river that block the migration, this will have a dramatic and devastating effect on fish. And the importance of fish becomes very clear when you know that in Cambodia, well over 70 percent of the Cambodian population's protein intake comes from fish taken out of the Mekong and its associated system.
read more “Mekong under threat from climate and dams”
The Mekong River is vital as a source of transport, irrigation and fisheries for the millions who live along its banks.
Originating in Tibet, the Mekong river passes either through or by China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. But it is under threat from hydro-electric dams and from climate change
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Milton Osborne, visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney and author of a new paper on the Mekong River
OSBORNE: In terms of climate change, we are still some distance away from seeing a dramatic change, so far as can be determined by the scientific work that is being done to date. One of the big concerns is, if there is a significant rise in sea level, this will certainly affect in a very significant and negative fashion, the Mekong Delta, which is the major agricultural production area for Vietnam. A very small rise in sea level would led to much of the Mekong Delta being inundated. The longer term concern is the glaciers which feed the Mekong River in the highlands of Tibet are melting and that is going to remove the snow melt that feeds the river. But at the same time as that is occurring, with the expectations of climate change, the possibility is that there will be increased precipitation, which could led in 20 years time to increased flooding on the Mekong. So it's a paradoxical sort of development that is occurring in this second case.
LAM: Indeed, so it's a question of too much water and too little water?
OSBORNE: That could be the concern, but are directed into climate change. The more immediate concerns in relation to the river relate to the possibility first of all, that dams will be built on the course of the river below China. There is no actual certainty about when those dams will be built, but there are plans to build up to 11 dams on the river below China and there is the already established problem that is going to arise from the dams China has built. It's already built three and it's planning to build at least another two. In fact another two are currently under construction.
LAM: Indeed, as you point out that China does control a large proportion of the Mekong River and it's of course enormously more powerful than the other regional countries. Are countries like Laos and Cambodia, for instance, talking to China about managing the river, or is China in a position to just simply do whatever it wants?
OSBORNE: Well, in very bold times, China is in a position and has taken the position that it will decide what is done on that section of the river that runs through its territory. And as you rightly say, 44 percent of the river's overall length is in China. There has been very little consultation between China and the downstream countries and in fact, until very recently, the Chinese have been reluctant even to let people from the governments of Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam visit China to examine the dams the Chinese have built.
LAM: What about the role of the Mekong River Commission? Is it an effective body or is it in need of change and reform?
OSBORNE: The Mekong River Commission is unfortunately, very poorly understood by many people who criticise it. It's regarded incorrectly by its critics as a body that has the right to determine what is done by governments in relation to the Mekong River. But that is not the case at all. It is a body which has a very important role, particularly through its Secretariat in providing scientific and technical information about the river, but it has no powers to mandate what any individual government or group of governments should do in relation to the Mekong River.
LAM: But as far as you know, has it made representations to either China or any of the other regional countries?
OSBORNE: No, and it would not under its charter really have the right to do so.
LAM: And Milton Osborne, on a micro-level, fish stocks I understand, in particular, are being threatened.. but are there technical solutions to this?
OSBORNE: Well, I have to take the guidance provided by scientists so far as technical issues are concerned. And scientists have looked very carefully at whether or not it is possible to overcome the barriers that dams built on the river will provide, if these dams do come to be constructed, to see whether there're ways of mitigating the dams' fact of preventing migration by fish. There are some 900 species of freshwater fish in the Mekong, which at least 80 percent are migratory, moving over long distances. So that if you have dams in the river that block the migration, this will have a dramatic and devastating effect on fish. And the importance of fish becomes very clear when you know that in Cambodia, well over 70 percent of the Cambodian population's protein intake comes from fish taken out of the Mekong and its associated system.
Former Constitution Drafter Slams Hun Sen for Criticizing Thai Prime Minister
...Hun Sen is trying to create a dispute between the two countries in an effort to achieve something...
A former member of the constitution drafting committee has criticized Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia for condemning the Thai prime minister.
He believes that Hun Sen's remarks were politically motivated, aiming to discredit the Thai government.
Tavorn Chansom, a former member of the 2007 constitution drafting committee from Buri Ram province, has made a comment regarding Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's harsh criticism of Thailand's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Hun Sen has accused Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya of insulting Cambodia, and has even claimed that the Cambodian people will never find happiness if both of them are still in power.
Tavorn said that Hun Sen's remarks were inappropriate, and have a hidden agenda that attempts to discredit Abhisit.
Tavorn also believes that Hun Sen is trying to create a dispute between the two countries in an effort to achieve something as Hun Sen has appointed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor, and has refused to extradite Thaksin to Thailand to face charges here, despite the standing extradition treaty between the two countries.
The former member of the constitution drafting committee also claimed that Hun Sen is trying to do anything to diminish Abhisit's leadership.
Tavorn urges Abhisit to exercise patience and to keep the country's best interests in mind.
He also believes that the diplomatic crisis will be over soon, as many are keeping a close eye on the situation.
read more “Former Constitution Drafter Slams Hun Sen for Criticizing Thai Prime Minister”
A former member of the constitution drafting committee has criticized Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia for condemning the Thai prime minister.
He believes that Hun Sen's remarks were politically motivated, aiming to discredit the Thai government.
Tavorn Chansom, a former member of the 2007 constitution drafting committee from Buri Ram province, has made a comment regarding Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's harsh criticism of Thailand's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Hun Sen has accused Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya of insulting Cambodia, and has even claimed that the Cambodian people will never find happiness if both of them are still in power.
Tavorn said that Hun Sen's remarks were inappropriate, and have a hidden agenda that attempts to discredit Abhisit.
Tavorn also believes that Hun Sen is trying to create a dispute between the two countries in an effort to achieve something as Hun Sen has appointed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor, and has refused to extradite Thaksin to Thailand to face charges here, despite the standing extradition treaty between the two countries.
The former member of the constitution drafting committee also claimed that Hun Sen is trying to do anything to diminish Abhisit's leadership.
Tavorn urges Abhisit to exercise patience and to keep the country's best interests in mind.
He also believes that the diplomatic crisis will be over soon, as many are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Suriyasai: Thaksin Uses Thai Engineer for Political Gain
The secretary-general of the New Politics Party has raised suspicions about the Thai engineer's mother for seeking assistance from the Pheu Thai Party.
He also believes that Thakin is using the engineer for political gain.
Secretary-General of the New Politics Party Suriyasai Katasila has made a comment about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's criticism of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Suriyasai believes that Cambodia is prepared to confront Thailand on many issues.
He has also said that the cancelation of a 1.4 billion Baht loan from Thailand, the closure of Cambodian territorial waters to Thai fishing boats, and the rejection of an invitation to participate in World AIDS Conference in Thailand are clear indications of the deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Suriyasai has also called for Abhisit to start telling people the truth in order to prepare for contingency and that the prime minister needs to choose the country's interests over the diplomatic etiquette.
Suriyasai has also claimed that it is clear that Hun Sen is willing to be Thaksin's political tool by trying to create turmoil in Thailand and using people's lives to serve his own self-interest.
Suriyasai has raised suspicions about Simarak Na Nakhon Panom , the mother of the Thai engineer jailed in Cambodia, for seeking assistance from Pheu Thai Party.
The secretary-general of the New Politics Party has said that if Thaksin is really sincere about helping, then why the Thai engineer has been in prison for weeks.
Also, he said Simarak has criticized the government for proceeding too slowly with the case, even though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just arranged for the mother to meet with her son last week.
He stated that all of these strange behaviours are leading Thai people to believe that the case might be a hoax.
Suriyasai has also guessed that eventually, the Thai engineer will be granted amnesty and Thaksin will be given all the credit.
He believes this could lead to the risk of many more Thai citizens being used as political tools.
read more “Suriyasai: Thaksin Uses Thai Engineer for Political Gain”
He also believes that Thakin is using the engineer for political gain.
Secretary-General of the New Politics Party Suriyasai Katasila has made a comment about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's criticism of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Suriyasai believes that Cambodia is prepared to confront Thailand on many issues.
He has also said that the cancelation of a 1.4 billion Baht loan from Thailand, the closure of Cambodian territorial waters to Thai fishing boats, and the rejection of an invitation to participate in World AIDS Conference in Thailand are clear indications of the deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Suriyasai has also called for Abhisit to start telling people the truth in order to prepare for contingency and that the prime minister needs to choose the country's interests over the diplomatic etiquette.
Suriyasai has also claimed that it is clear that Hun Sen is willing to be Thaksin's political tool by trying to create turmoil in Thailand and using people's lives to serve his own self-interest.
Suriyasai has raised suspicions about Simarak Na Nakhon Panom , the mother of the Thai engineer jailed in Cambodia, for seeking assistance from Pheu Thai Party.
The secretary-general of the New Politics Party has said that if Thaksin is really sincere about helping, then why the Thai engineer has been in prison for weeks.
Also, he said Simarak has criticized the government for proceeding too slowly with the case, even though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just arranged for the mother to meet with her son last week.
He stated that all of these strange behaviours are leading Thai people to believe that the case might be a hoax.
Suriyasai has also guessed that eventually, the Thai engineer will be granted amnesty and Thaksin will be given all the credit.
He believes this could lead to the risk of many more Thai citizens being used as political tools.
Chavalit slams PM on Cambodia row
Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has slammed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for saying there could be someone trying to "instigate a situation" after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his unhappiness with Mr Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
Mr Abhisit should not say anything like this which could affect relations between the two countries without information to back it up, he said.
Gen Chavalkit refused to comment on Mr Hun Sen's aggressive stance.
He believed the government was trying to mend the situation, but it would take time to heal the conflict between the two governments.
read more “Chavalit slams PM on Cambodia row”
Mr Abhisit should not say anything like this which could affect relations between the two countries without information to back it up, he said.
Gen Chavalkit refused to comment on Mr Hun Sen's aggressive stance.
He believed the government was trying to mend the situation, but it would take time to heal the conflict between the two governments.
Mother of detained Thai visits son in Phnom Penh
BANGKOK, Dec2 (TNA) – The mother of a Thai engineer detained in Cambodia left Thailand Wednesday to see her son in a Phnom Penh jail for the second time, with her trip being facilitated and paid for by the opposition Puea Thai Party, allied to fugitive ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra
Simarak Na Nakhon Panom and Pongsuree Chutipong, mother and brother of 31-year-old Siwarak Chutipong, left Suvarnabhumi Airport early Wednesday. The family members were seen off by Prompong Nopaparit, spokesman of the Puea Thai Party.
Mrs Simarak said that she has no hidden agenda in seeking help from the Puea Thai Party, but she said she is impatient and reluctant to disturb the government further on her family matter.
She said she must use all means which could help her meet her son, regardless of whether help would come from the government or the opposition, but she denied the accusation that her family matter is linked to political issues.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will pay bail costing between Bt50,000-200,000 this Friday," said Siwarak's mother.
Mrs Simarak said she will stay the night in Phnom Penh and bring personal items to her son, and she will return to Cambodia again on Monday as the court ruling is scheduled on the following day.
"The last time I met him, he looked shabby and weary," said Mrs Simarak. "He asked me to bring him sleeping pills but I could not do that."
Mr Siwarak, employed by Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested by Cambodian police November 12 on charges of passing to Thai diplomats information on the flight details of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin for his recent visit. The Khmer authorities considered the information as privileged and as affecting the stability of the state.
While seeing off the mother and brother, the Puea Thai spokesman said that he was not going to Phnom Penh with them as he is afraid that the matter will become a "game of politics".
Mr Prompong said that his party Mrs Simarak asked for its help, adding that Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama coordinated Mrs Simarak’s second visit and sponsored all expenses.
He said Mr Siwarak’s mother and brother are scheduled to return to Bangkok Thursday evening, but they may postpone their return flight as they want to witness the bail request procedure of the Thai Foreign Ministry scheduled for Friday.
"The influence of Mr Thaksin helped facilitate the matter," said Mr Prompong. "Puea Thai Party chairman Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is also ready to help by asking for amnesty for Mr Siwarak if he is convicted.
read more “Mother of detained Thai visits son in Phnom Penh”
Simarak Na Nakhon Panom and Pongsuree Chutipong, mother and brother of 31-year-old Siwarak Chutipong, left Suvarnabhumi Airport early Wednesday. The family members were seen off by Prompong Nopaparit, spokesman of the Puea Thai Party.
Mrs Simarak said that she has no hidden agenda in seeking help from the Puea Thai Party, but she said she is impatient and reluctant to disturb the government further on her family matter.
She said she must use all means which could help her meet her son, regardless of whether help would come from the government or the opposition, but she denied the accusation that her family matter is linked to political issues.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will pay bail costing between Bt50,000-200,000 this Friday," said Siwarak's mother.
Mrs Simarak said she will stay the night in Phnom Penh and bring personal items to her son, and she will return to Cambodia again on Monday as the court ruling is scheduled on the following day.
"The last time I met him, he looked shabby and weary," said Mrs Simarak. "He asked me to bring him sleeping pills but I could not do that."
Mr Siwarak, employed by Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested by Cambodian police November 12 on charges of passing to Thai diplomats information on the flight details of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin for his recent visit. The Khmer authorities considered the information as privileged and as affecting the stability of the state.
While seeing off the mother and brother, the Puea Thai spokesman said that he was not going to Phnom Penh with them as he is afraid that the matter will become a "game of politics".
Mr Prompong said that his party Mrs Simarak asked for its help, adding that Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama coordinated Mrs Simarak’s second visit and sponsored all expenses.
He said Mr Siwarak’s mother and brother are scheduled to return to Bangkok Thursday evening, but they may postpone their return flight as they want to witness the bail request procedure of the Thai Foreign Ministry scheduled for Friday.
"The influence of Mr Thaksin helped facilitate the matter," said Mr Prompong. "Puea Thai Party chairman Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is also ready to help by asking for amnesty for Mr Siwarak if he is convicted.
Thai mother travels to Cambodia to visit arrested son
BANGKOK, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mrs. Simaluck Na Nakhon Panom, the mother of a Thai man having been arrested in Cambodia Wednesday traveled to Cambodia to visit the detained son.
Mrs. Simaluck's son, Siwarak Chothipong, who worked as an engineer at the Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co Ltd (CATS), has been arrested in Cambodia from Nov. 11, according to an arrest warrant of the prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipality Court.
Cambodia has charged Siwarak of having had confidential information affecting Cambodia's national security.
Also, a younger brother of Siwarak accompanied the mother traveling to Cambodia, which is their second trip after Siwarak has been detained in a prison in Phnom Penh, the Thai News Agency reported.
The Thai mother flew to Cambodia with dry foods and clothes for the detained son.
Meanwhile, the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, which has prepared some money worth from 50,000 baht (1,506 U.S. dollars) to 200,000 baht (6,027 U.S. dollars), has been in the process of seeking a quick release of Siwarak on bail.
read more “Thai mother travels to Cambodia to visit arrested son”
Mrs. Simaluck's son, Siwarak Chothipong, who worked as an engineer at the Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co Ltd (CATS), has been arrested in Cambodia from Nov. 11, according to an arrest warrant of the prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipality Court.
Cambodia has charged Siwarak of having had confidential information affecting Cambodia's national security.
Also, a younger brother of Siwarak accompanied the mother traveling to Cambodia, which is their second trip after Siwarak has been detained in a prison in Phnom Penh, the Thai News Agency reported.
The Thai mother flew to Cambodia with dry foods and clothes for the detained son.
Meanwhile, the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, which has prepared some money worth from 50,000 baht (1,506 U.S. dollars) to 200,000 baht (6,027 U.S. dollars), has been in the process of seeking a quick release of Siwarak on bail.
Chavalit denies stealing the [Thai] government's thunder on Cambodia
Pheu Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on Wednesday dismissed speculation about trying to outshine the government related to efforts to secure the release of a Thai engineer detained in Phnom Penh.
"Pheu Thai will remain ready to assist and not claiming credit for the government's work," he said.
Chavalit also urged the government to try fostering the good neighbourly ties in light of the critical remarks by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
read more “Chavalit denies stealing the [Thai] government's thunder on Cambodia”
"Pheu Thai will remain ready to assist and not claiming credit for the government's work," he said.
Chavalit also urged the government to try fostering the good neighbourly ties in light of the critical remarks by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
New international prosecutor
PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIA'S Khmer Rouge war crimes court has a new international prosecutor, the UN-backed tribunal announced on Wednesday, several months after the previous holder of the post resigned.
Briton Andrew T. Caley, who has worked at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has been formally appointed by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, a court statement said.
The appointment was welcomed by court observers, who said it was important to get a permanent international prosecutor in place as soon as possible.
'There are many critical decisions that should be made in the (next) case in the next two months and they should be made by the international prosecutor who will have the responsibility for carrying them out,' Heather Ryan, court monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative, told AFP.
Mr Caley is expected to arrive in Cambodia within the next few weeks, said tribunal spokesman Lars Olsen.
Canadian prosecutor Robert Petit announced his resignation from the court in June, citing personal and family reasons after a row with his local counterpart over whether to pursue more suspects of the late 1970s communist regime. He denied his sudden resignation from the tribunal was due to the dispute with Cambodian co-prosecutor Chea Leang.
Briton Andrew T. Caley, who has worked at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has been formally appointed by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, a court statement said.
The appointment was welcomed by court observers, who said it was important to get a permanent international prosecutor in place as soon as possible.
'There are many critical decisions that should be made in the (next) case in the next two months and they should be made by the international prosecutor who will have the responsibility for carrying them out,' Heather Ryan, court monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative, told AFP.
Mr Caley is expected to arrive in Cambodia within the next few weeks, said tribunal spokesman Lars Olsen.
Canadian prosecutor Robert Petit announced his resignation from the court in June, citing personal and family reasons after a row with his local counterpart over whether to pursue more suspects of the late 1970s communist regime. He denied his sudden resignation from the tribunal was due to the dispute with Cambodian co-prosecutor Chea Leang.
![[Oh+Akkhara.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6u7WWB3QRVIp_hU_PQG-1TgkQZa9Q23o55Qu1IOUjg8VyvJfZ39X9Srw2K0egRUej_wbvWLPRfIxzZjj6XsPJiwbmXidy540Uoavl8l1m0cGq89bN50Gkq6AiJJBuHDHy_V8Z0CYz7cja/s1600/Oh+Akkhara.jpg)
Cambodia’s Struggle with Justice
Things have been difficult for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), pretty much from the start. The one thing the UN-backed court charged with holding the leadership of the Khmer Rouge responsible for their crimes had going for it was that its first defendant, Kaing Guek Eav, better known by his nom de guerre Duch, admitted his guilt. His trial was therefore supposed to offer the chance for a traumatized nation to hear the truth about what happened under the Khmer Rouge, rather than decide on the merits his guilt or innocence. This is the process that Cambodia has gone through for months as testimony was heard and Duch admitted his responsibility in running one of the most notorious prisons under the Khmer Rouge. That is until Friday, when Duch did an about face and demanded his release due to his innocence of all charges.
To make things even more complicated, his international and local trial teams then offered up two different, and quite contradictory, defenses. His international lawyers asked the court to consider his remorse and limit the possible 40 year prison sentence, while his local lawyers claimed that the court was not competent to hold the trial at all. If nothing else, that’s a pretty big difference of opinion.
As this news story broke, you could almost see international human rights lawyers from around the world just shaking their heads. That is because while shocking, the about face and its aftermath wasn’t really that much of a surprise to longtime observers of the court. After all, the ECCC became much more accustomed to bad news rather than good even before it started holding trials. Duch’s reversal and his trial teams’ floundering was just one more event in a long line of embarrassing storylines to emerge from the court, whether it be political interference, corruption, or just plain incompetence on behalf of court staff.
All ad hoc international courts, whether truly international like the ICTY and ICTR, or hybrids like the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the ECCC, go through difficult times where they must prove their competency, jurisdictional rights, and their ability to produce fair justice. As the FPA’s War Crimes blog shows, this is a constant process. And while things have not always gone smoothly in terms of government cooperation with these ad hoc courts, the one thing that all these court other than the ECCC had in their favor was at least tacit support from the governments most directly involved, whether that be Croatia and Bosnia, or Rwanda and Sierra Leone. The ECCC has never had this; instead it has faced quite the opposite, with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen repeatedly making it clear that he rather see the court fail than fulfill their mandate.
Friday’s courtroom drama demonstrated how important such political support is, and how difficult it will be for the ECCC to continue with new trials unless something dramatic changes. While there are many lessons that can be learned from the experience of the ECCC, this one should be first and foremost. In the meantime, it is those who suffered under the Khmer Rouge who stand to lose the most, as their calls for justice are left ignored and abused by those in power.
read more “Cambodia’s Struggle with Justice”
To make things even more complicated, his international and local trial teams then offered up two different, and quite contradictory, defenses. His international lawyers asked the court to consider his remorse and limit the possible 40 year prison sentence, while his local lawyers claimed that the court was not competent to hold the trial at all. If nothing else, that’s a pretty big difference of opinion.
As this news story broke, you could almost see international human rights lawyers from around the world just shaking their heads. That is because while shocking, the about face and its aftermath wasn’t really that much of a surprise to longtime observers of the court. After all, the ECCC became much more accustomed to bad news rather than good even before it started holding trials. Duch’s reversal and his trial teams’ floundering was just one more event in a long line of embarrassing storylines to emerge from the court, whether it be political interference, corruption, or just plain incompetence on behalf of court staff.
All ad hoc international courts, whether truly international like the ICTY and ICTR, or hybrids like the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the ECCC, go through difficult times where they must prove their competency, jurisdictional rights, and their ability to produce fair justice. As the FPA’s War Crimes blog shows, this is a constant process. And while things have not always gone smoothly in terms of government cooperation with these ad hoc courts, the one thing that all these court other than the ECCC had in their favor was at least tacit support from the governments most directly involved, whether that be Croatia and Bosnia, or Rwanda and Sierra Leone. The ECCC has never had this; instead it has faced quite the opposite, with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen repeatedly making it clear that he rather see the court fail than fulfill their mandate.
Friday’s courtroom drama demonstrated how important such political support is, and how difficult it will be for the ECCC to continue with new trials unless something dramatic changes. While there are many lessons that can be learned from the experience of the ECCC, this one should be first and foremost. In the meantime, it is those who suffered under the Khmer Rouge who stand to lose the most, as their calls for justice are left ignored and abused by those in power.
Cambodia’s Struggle with Justice
Things have been difficult for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), pretty much from the start. The one thing the UN-backed court charged with holding the leadership of the Khmer Rouge responsible for their crimes had going for it was that its first defendant, Kaing Guek Eav, better known by his nom de guerre Duch, admitted his guilt. His trial was therefore supposed to offer the chance for a traumatized nation to hear the truth about what happened under the Khmer Rouge, rather than decide on the merits his guilt or innocence. This is the process that Cambodia has gone through for months as testimony was heard and Duch admitted his responsibility in running one of the most notorious prisons under the Khmer Rouge. That is until Friday, when Duch did an about face and demanded his release due to his innocence of all charges.
To make things even more complicated, his international and local trial teams then offered up two different, and quite contradictory, defenses. His international lawyers asked the court to consider his remorse and limit the possible 40 year prison sentence, while his local lawyers claimed that the court was not competent to hold the trial at all. If nothing else, that’s a pretty big difference of opinion.
As this news story broke, you could almost see international human rights lawyers from around the world just shaking their heads. That is because while shocking, the about face and its aftermath wasn’t really that much of a surprise to longtime observers of the court. After all, the ECCC became much more accustomed to bad news rather than good even before it started holding trials. Duch’s reversal and his trial teams’ floundering was just one more event in a long line of embarrassing storylines to emerge from the court, whether it be political interference, corruption, or just plain incompetence on behalf of court staff.
All ad hoc international courts, whether truly international like the ICTY and ICTR, or hybrids like the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the ECCC, go through difficult times where they must prove their competency, jurisdictional rights, and their ability to produce fair justice. As the FPA’s War Crimes blog shows, this is a constant process. And while things have not always gone smoothly in terms of government cooperation with these ad hoc courts, the one thing that all these court other than the ECCC had in their favor was at least tacit support from the governments most directly involved, whether that be Croatia and Bosnia, or Rwanda and Sierra Leone. The ECCC has never had this; instead it has faced quite the opposite, with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen repeatedly making it clear that he rather see the court fail than fulfill their mandate.
Friday’s courtroom drama demonstrated how important such political support is, and how difficult it will be for the ECCC to continue with new trials unless something dramatic changes. While there are many lessons that can be learned from the experience of the ECCC, this one should be first and foremost. In the meantime, it is those who suffered under the Khmer Rouge who stand to lose the most, as their calls for justice are left ignored and abused by those in power.
read more “Cambodia’s Struggle with Justice”
To make things even more complicated, his international and local trial teams then offered up two different, and quite contradictory, defenses. His international lawyers asked the court to consider his remorse and limit the possible 40 year prison sentence, while his local lawyers claimed that the court was not competent to hold the trial at all. If nothing else, that’s a pretty big difference of opinion.
As this news story broke, you could almost see international human rights lawyers from around the world just shaking their heads. That is because while shocking, the about face and its aftermath wasn’t really that much of a surprise to longtime observers of the court. After all, the ECCC became much more accustomed to bad news rather than good even before it started holding trials. Duch’s reversal and his trial teams’ floundering was just one more event in a long line of embarrassing storylines to emerge from the court, whether it be political interference, corruption, or just plain incompetence on behalf of court staff.
All ad hoc international courts, whether truly international like the ICTY and ICTR, or hybrids like the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the ECCC, go through difficult times where they must prove their competency, jurisdictional rights, and their ability to produce fair justice. As the FPA’s War Crimes blog shows, this is a constant process. And while things have not always gone smoothly in terms of government cooperation with these ad hoc courts, the one thing that all these court other than the ECCC had in their favor was at least tacit support from the governments most directly involved, whether that be Croatia and Bosnia, or Rwanda and Sierra Leone. The ECCC has never had this; instead it has faced quite the opposite, with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen repeatedly making it clear that he rather see the court fail than fulfill their mandate.
Friday’s courtroom drama demonstrated how important such political support is, and how difficult it will be for the ECCC to continue with new trials unless something dramatic changes. While there are many lessons that can be learned from the experience of the ECCC, this one should be first and foremost. In the meantime, it is those who suffered under the Khmer Rouge who stand to lose the most, as their calls for justice are left ignored and abused by those in power.
Rights Situation Comes Under UN Review
Forced eviction in Russei Keo (Photo: Koh Santepheap)
As Cambodia undergoes a review at the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday member states should be concerned over recent deteriorations of basic freedoms.
Under the Human Rights Council, member states are reviewed every four years. In a submission to the council, Human Rights Watch underscored political violence, impunity for senior government officials in serious rights abuses, forced evictions and land confiscation, among others.
In the past year there’s been a sharp regression in Cambodia’s respect for basic rights, with major setbacks in press freedom and a harsh crackdown on government critics,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Countries should ask Cambodia why it uses repressive tactics to silence peaceful dissent, while thrusting the poor even further into poverty by condoning illegal land grabbing.”
The government increasingly uses the judicial system to muzzle journalists, human rights defenders, and opposition party members, who face charges of criminal defamation and disinformation, Human Rights Watch said.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith denied the group’s assertions, claiming Cambodia has 3,000 local non-governmental organizations, as well as media outlets that do not suffer attacks on their freedoms.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, meanwhile, said it supported the review process, a new rights monitoring mechanism.
The coalition of 21 NGOs appealed to the government to “pay more attention in order to ensure full compliance of all international covenants and conventions in relation to human rights of which Cambodia is a party to and has ratified.”
The coalition urged the government to take considerations of the Human Rights Council’s recommendations to promote freedoms and the respect of human rights.
Trade with Vietnam plummets by 39pc
CAMBODIA’S bilateral trade with Vietnam saw a further decline in October, dropping 39 percent year on year, according to official figures released Monday by the Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh.
Trade was down to US$103 million in October, down from $169 during the same month last year. The fall was greater than the aggregated year-to-date slide of 29.7 percent for the first 10 months, meaning a recovery in trade with one of the Kingdom’s most important economic partners has failed to materialise. Bilateral trade was down an annualised 22.8 percent in September.
“People [in the two countries] don’t earn well, meaning they have had to cut expenses,” Le Bien Cuong, Vietnam’s commercial counsellor in Phnom Penh, said Monday, also citing a drop in Cambodia’s imports of raw materials for the key construction and garment sectors.
Two-way trade stood at $1.049 billion this year to the end of October from $1.493 billion over the same period last year.
Still, Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association, said Monday that there had been flight from Thai products to those from Vietnam in the wake of the diplomatic dispute with Bangkok.
“The more problems that exist with Thailand, the more progress is made with Vietnam,” he said, although it remained difficult to back up this claim statistically given that trade data for November – when relations with Thailand reached a recent low – will not be available for another month.
Cuong predicted trade between Cambodia and Vietnam would be down about 20 percent overall for 2009 compared with last year.
read more “Trade with Vietnam plummets by 39pc”
Trade was down to US$103 million in October, down from $169 during the same month last year. The fall was greater than the aggregated year-to-date slide of 29.7 percent for the first 10 months, meaning a recovery in trade with one of the Kingdom’s most important economic partners has failed to materialise. Bilateral trade was down an annualised 22.8 percent in September.
“People [in the two countries] don’t earn well, meaning they have had to cut expenses,” Le Bien Cuong, Vietnam’s commercial counsellor in Phnom Penh, said Monday, also citing a drop in Cambodia’s imports of raw materials for the key construction and garment sectors.
Two-way trade stood at $1.049 billion this year to the end of October from $1.493 billion over the same period last year.
Still, Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association, said Monday that there had been flight from Thai products to those from Vietnam in the wake of the diplomatic dispute with Bangkok.
“The more problems that exist with Thailand, the more progress is made with Vietnam,” he said, although it remained difficult to back up this claim statistically given that trade data for November – when relations with Thailand reached a recent low – will not be available for another month.
Cuong predicted trade between Cambodia and Vietnam would be down about 20 percent overall for 2009 compared with last year.
Cambodian-Thai border not to be closed: Thai deputy PM
BANGKOK, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban Tuesday has reassured that the Thai government will not close the Thai-Cambodian border.
The Thai deputy prime minister's statement was made amid the ongoing diplomatic tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
The border will not be closed since it is concerned with the well-being of the people along the Thai-Cambodian border, Thai News Agency quoted Suthep as saying.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has emphasized a commitment made by the two countries for the benefit of the Thai-Cambodian citizens will not be revoked, Suthep said.
Suthep was referring to an agreement under which Bangkok will lend Cambodia some 41.2 million U.S. dollars to upgrade a highway in Cambodia, and other loans.
The diplomatic problem occurred after Cambodia appointed ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government and Prime Minister Hun Sen on Nov. 4.
A day after the appointment, the Cambodian government announced recall of its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia.
read more “Cambodian-Thai border not to be closed: Thai deputy PM”
The Thai deputy prime minister's statement was made amid the ongoing diplomatic tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
The border will not be closed since it is concerned with the well-being of the people along the Thai-Cambodian border, Thai News Agency quoted Suthep as saying.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has emphasized a commitment made by the two countries for the benefit of the Thai-Cambodian citizens will not be revoked, Suthep said.
Suthep was referring to an agreement under which Bangkok will lend Cambodia some 41.2 million U.S. dollars to upgrade a highway in Cambodia, and other loans.
The diplomatic problem occurred after Cambodia appointed ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government and Prime Minister Hun Sen on Nov. 4.
A day after the appointment, the Cambodian government announced recall of its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia.
Govt readies for UN human rights review
The UPR is not the only event in Geneva − this is a continuing process.
Land evictions, judicial reform to feature high on the agenda during the three-day hearing.
JUDICIAL reform, corruption and land rights are expected to be high on the agenda when Cambodia comes before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva for its first formal rights review this afternoon.
A UN summary report compiling the recommendations filed by 23 local and international rights organisations in April flagged concerns including continuing legal impunity and increases in the “rate and scale of land-grabbing and forced evictions” that have plagued the country since 2004.
Surya Prasad Subedi, the UN’s special human rights rapporteur to Cambodia, said the three-day Universal Periodic Review hearing would give Cambodia “an opportunity ... to engage in a comprehensive manner” on rights issues with other member states.
Subedi also said he hoped the government would take the hearing seriously, after it was criticised at a similar review at the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva in May for sending just a single delegate – UN ambassador Sun Suon – to the two-day hearing.
“It is a good opportunity for the government of Cambodia to defend its human rights record before an international human rights body. The more the government appears taking the matter seriously the more the government will receive credit for its endeavours in this regard,” he said by email.
New mechanism
The quadrennial review, established with the reform of the UN’s rights body in 2006, is the main mechanism by which each UN member state is scrutinised on human rights issues.
During a three-hour session today, the Cambodian delegation is expected to answer questions from the council, the result of which will shape an outcome report to be adopted on Thursday.
Om Yentieng, senior adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen and head of the government-run Cambodian Committee of Human Rights, said on Monday that the government had sent three officials to Geneva, including its ambassador to the UN, to attend the UPR session.
“I do not expect anything from the meeting in Geneva because the situation in Cambodia is not the same as what is written in the human rights reports,” he said. “What we have seen is that Cambodia is getting more progressive from day to day.”
Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc, said the review would not lead to an immediate improvement in the human rights situation, but appealed to the government to accept its recommendations and make a plan for joint NGO-government action to improve the rights situation.
“The UPR is not only the event in Geneva – this is a continuing process,” he said. “We would like to appeal to the government to take this issue seriously.”
read more “Govt readies for UN human rights review”
Land evictions, judicial reform to feature high on the agenda during the three-day hearing.
JUDICIAL reform, corruption and land rights are expected to be high on the agenda when Cambodia comes before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva for its first formal rights review this afternoon.
A UN summary report compiling the recommendations filed by 23 local and international rights organisations in April flagged concerns including continuing legal impunity and increases in the “rate and scale of land-grabbing and forced evictions” that have plagued the country since 2004.
Surya Prasad Subedi, the UN’s special human rights rapporteur to Cambodia, said the three-day Universal Periodic Review hearing would give Cambodia “an opportunity ... to engage in a comprehensive manner” on rights issues with other member states.
Subedi also said he hoped the government would take the hearing seriously, after it was criticised at a similar review at the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva in May for sending just a single delegate – UN ambassador Sun Suon – to the two-day hearing.
“It is a good opportunity for the government of Cambodia to defend its human rights record before an international human rights body. The more the government appears taking the matter seriously the more the government will receive credit for its endeavours in this regard,” he said by email.
New mechanism
The quadrennial review, established with the reform of the UN’s rights body in 2006, is the main mechanism by which each UN member state is scrutinised on human rights issues.
During a three-hour session today, the Cambodian delegation is expected to answer questions from the council, the result of which will shape an outcome report to be adopted on Thursday.
Om Yentieng, senior adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen and head of the government-run Cambodian Committee of Human Rights, said on Monday that the government had sent three officials to Geneva, including its ambassador to the UN, to attend the UPR session.
“I do not expect anything from the meeting in Geneva because the situation in Cambodia is not the same as what is written in the human rights reports,” he said. “What we have seen is that Cambodia is getting more progressive from day to day.”
Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc, said the review would not lead to an immediate improvement in the human rights situation, but appealed to the government to accept its recommendations and make a plan for joint NGO-government action to improve the rights situation.
“The UPR is not only the event in Geneva – this is a continuing process,” he said. “We would like to appeal to the government to take this issue seriously.”
War crimes judge escapes bias probe
Cambodia's war crimes tribunal has dismissed a request to investigate two of its foreign judges, including Australian Rowan Downing, for bias.
The panel of five judges at the joint UN-Cambodian tribunal was forced to investigate an allegation of bias made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in September.
Hun Sen said he knew that some foreign judges and prosecutors were taking instruction from their governments.
Following the claim, lawyers for former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary filed a request last month to investigate Australia's Rowan Downing and the Netherlands' Katinka Lahuis.
In their decision, released on Tuesday, the judges unanimously ruled that the request to investigate their colleagues was inadmissible and unfounded.
The ruling came days after the conclusion of the trial of the first defendant, Comrade Duch, who ran the Khmer Rouge's main execution centre called S-21.
The verdict in the case will be announced early next year.
read more “War crimes judge escapes bias probe”
The panel of five judges at the joint UN-Cambodian tribunal was forced to investigate an allegation of bias made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in September.
Hun Sen said he knew that some foreign judges and prosecutors were taking instruction from their governments.
Following the claim, lawyers for former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary filed a request last month to investigate Australia's Rowan Downing and the Netherlands' Katinka Lahuis.
In their decision, released on Tuesday, the judges unanimously ruled that the request to investigate their colleagues was inadmissible and unfounded.
The ruling came days after the conclusion of the trial of the first defendant, Comrade Duch, who ran the Khmer Rouge's main execution centre called S-21.
The verdict in the case will be announced early next year.
Thai PM: I'm working for national interest
BANGKOK, Dec1 (TNA) - Following the latest verbal attack by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the premier on Tuesday reaffirmed that his government is working for the Thai national interest, while asserting that his government has not revoked aid projects with Cambodia.
Mr Hun Sen was quoted by foreign media as saying that Cambodia will "have no happiness" as long as Mr Abhisit and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya are still in power, and that "Abhisit is the PM who is hardest to work with."
Hun Sen said he informed Abhisit that Cambodia was cancelling an agreement under which Bangkok would make a 1.4-billion-baht (41.2-million-dollar) loan to upgrade a highway from the Thai border, and would review other Thai loans.
Acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanyakorn disclosed that Mr Hun Sen has asked the Thai government about the cancellation of the 1.4-billion-baht (US$41.2 million) loan to upgrade a highway from the Thai border and Prime Minister Abhisit already reaffirmed that his Cabinet has not revoked the joint project. An official letter regarding the issue will be sent to Cambodia Tuesday.
Mr Abhisit however said regarding Hun Sen's remark that he has no need to clarify the matter with his Cambodian counterpart as his working approaches concern the benefit of the Thai people, while maintaining amicable relationships with Cambodia and will avoid any adverse impact on Cambodia.
"Despite Thailand is being accused, I am still solving the problem based on national interest," Mr Abhisit said, "It is a pity that Phnom Penh has received incorrect information such as hearsay about border closures or aid projects cancellation which is totally groundless."
"The Cambodians should be informed that any cancellation of the aid projects is unilaterally made by their leader, not the Thai government," Mr Abhisit said.
When asked how the problem will end, as the Cambodian leader is still "playing politics" abroad, Mr Abhisit told reporters that Thailand will not play with Cambodia, but will take care of relations and trades to allow cooperation to proceed.
"If Mr Hun Sen refuses to receive any aid or cooperation from Thailand, the decision is made by him, no matter by whom he is being advised," the Thai prime minister said.
The diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up after Phnom Penh appointed fugitive ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser and refused to extradite him as requested by the Thai government.
The ambassadors of the two countries were recalled, and a Thai engineer was detained in a Cambodian prison on charges of espionage after he was discovered releasing Mr Thaksin's flight schedule.
read more “Thai PM: I'm working for national interest”
Mr Hun Sen was quoted by foreign media as saying that Cambodia will "have no happiness" as long as Mr Abhisit and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya are still in power, and that "Abhisit is the PM who is hardest to work with."
Hun Sen said he informed Abhisit that Cambodia was cancelling an agreement under which Bangkok would make a 1.4-billion-baht (41.2-million-dollar) loan to upgrade a highway from the Thai border, and would review other Thai loans.
Acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanyakorn disclosed that Mr Hun Sen has asked the Thai government about the cancellation of the 1.4-billion-baht (US$41.2 million) loan to upgrade a highway from the Thai border and Prime Minister Abhisit already reaffirmed that his Cabinet has not revoked the joint project. An official letter regarding the issue will be sent to Cambodia Tuesday.
Mr Abhisit however said regarding Hun Sen's remark that he has no need to clarify the matter with his Cambodian counterpart as his working approaches concern the benefit of the Thai people, while maintaining amicable relationships with Cambodia and will avoid any adverse impact on Cambodia.
"Despite Thailand is being accused, I am still solving the problem based on national interest," Mr Abhisit said, "It is a pity that Phnom Penh has received incorrect information such as hearsay about border closures or aid projects cancellation which is totally groundless."
"The Cambodians should be informed that any cancellation of the aid projects is unilaterally made by their leader, not the Thai government," Mr Abhisit said.
When asked how the problem will end, as the Cambodian leader is still "playing politics" abroad, Mr Abhisit told reporters that Thailand will not play with Cambodia, but will take care of relations and trades to allow cooperation to proceed.
"If Mr Hun Sen refuses to receive any aid or cooperation from Thailand, the decision is made by him, no matter by whom he is being advised," the Thai prime minister said.
The diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up after Phnom Penh appointed fugitive ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser and refused to extradite him as requested by the Thai government.
The ambassadors of the two countries were recalled, and a Thai engineer was detained in a Cambodian prison on charges of espionage after he was discovered releasing Mr Thaksin's flight schedule.
Sam Rainsy backers protest abroad
Supporters of opposition leader Sam Rainsy wave placards during a demonstration against the “deterioration of democracy in Cambodia” on Parliament Hill in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, on Monday. Hundreds gathered to protest against the Cambodian government’s alleged mistreatment of opposition politicians. (Photo by: Photo Supplied)SUPPORTERS of embattled opposition leader Sam Rainsy gathered in North American capitals this weekend to protest what they called the deteriorating state of democracy in Cambodia.
Organised as a response to the National Assembly’s decision last month to strip Sam Rainsy of his parliamentary immunity, nearly 200 people protested on Parliament Hill in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, while a smaller group demonstrated in front of the Cambodian embassy in Washington on Saturday, organisers said.
Pretty Ma, secretary general of the Sam Rainsy Party North America, said opposition politicians in the Kingdom face “mistreatment and harassment”.
“The way immunity can be easily revoked from the people’s representatives is something almost unheard of here in the West,” he wrote in an email. “It’s overdone, truly abusive and ridiculous.”
The protesters urged Canada and the US to deny entry visas to “any corrupted official, including any human rights violators”.
Sam Rainsy, who is currently in Europe, was stripped of his immunity last month after an October incident in which he uprooted six wooden posts in Svay Rieng province along the border with Vietnam.
Villagers had claimed the Vietnamese were encroaching on their land.
The Vietnamese government, however, reacted with outrage, and the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the act “perverse”.
Sam Rainsy in Geneva Today
SAM RAINSY IN GENEVA TODAY
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy is in Geneva today to attend the 16th Session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group that will discuss the human rights situation in Cambodia.
SRP Cabinet
To contact Sam Rainsy please call (33) 6 13 06 77 00
SRP Cabinet
To contact Sam Rainsy please call (33) 6 13 06 77 00
Court rejects probe of judges
PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIA'S UN-backed war crimes court has rejected a request by lawyers for a former Khmer Rouge leader to examine two judges at the tribunal for bias, said documents released on Tuesday.
Lawyers for former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary last month demanded a public hearing on the independence of Dutch judge Katinka Lahuis and Australian judge Rowan Downing, citing a speech by Cambodian premier Hun Sen.
However the court's pre-trial chamber on Monday ruled the submission was 'inadmissible, as well as being devoid of merit and unsupported by evidence'.
'A charge of partiality must be supported by a factual basis. The mere fact that a judge has been subjected to press criticism does not require the judge's disqualification,' the chamber's decision said.
The request cited a speech Prime Minister Hun Sen made in September, which came in response to the two judges' support for investigations of five additional Khmer Rouge suspects.
'I know that some foreign judges and prosecutors have received orders from their governments to create problems here,' Mr Hun Sen said in the speech.
read more “Court rejects probe of judges”
Lawyers for former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary last month demanded a public hearing on the independence of Dutch judge Katinka Lahuis and Australian judge Rowan Downing, citing a speech by Cambodian premier Hun Sen.
However the court's pre-trial chamber on Monday ruled the submission was 'inadmissible, as well as being devoid of merit and unsupported by evidence'.
'A charge of partiality must be supported by a factual basis. The mere fact that a judge has been subjected to press criticism does not require the judge's disqualification,' the chamber's decision said.
The request cited a speech Prime Minister Hun Sen made in September, which came in response to the two judges' support for investigations of five additional Khmer Rouge suspects.
'I know that some foreign judges and prosecutors have received orders from their governments to create problems here,' Mr Hun Sen said in the speech.
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