Kamrob did not request Thaksin's flight plan: [Thai] MFA
Dec 14, 2009December 15, 2009
The Nation
The flight plan of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was not a topic of telephone conversation between Thai diplomat Kamrob Palawatwichai and Thai engineer Sivarak Chutipong, secretary to the foreign minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said on Tuesday.
Chavanond was speaking in rigorous defence of Kamrob's role which led to Sivarak's conviction for spying in Phnom Penh.
"Statements by Kamrob and Sivarak have confirmed Kamrob did not ask for the flight plan," Chavanond said.
read more “Kamrob did not request Thaksin's flight plan: [Thai] MFA”
The Nation
The flight plan of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was not a topic of telephone conversation between Thai diplomat Kamrob Palawatwichai and Thai engineer Sivarak Chutipong, secretary to the foreign minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said on Tuesday.
Chavanond was speaking in rigorous defence of Kamrob's role which led to Sivarak's conviction for spying in Phnom Penh.
"Statements by Kamrob and Sivarak have confirmed Kamrob did not ask for the flight plan," Chavanond said.
Rights Groups Want Acid Attackers Punished
A victim of acid attack in Cambodia
ShortNews.com
In Cambodia, acid attacks have been decreasing in the last couple of years, but still those attacking people with acid have gone unpunished. Rights groups are putting pressure on the government to take greater action against the acid attackers.
Last week, two, teenage sisters were riding their motorbike to the market when two men pulled up next to them and poured acid all over the girls' heads, faces and bodies. They were taken to the hospital and treated for sever burns.
One of the most notorious cases is that of Tat Marina, a karaoke star who was beaten unconscious and doused in a liter of acid, by the wife of her lover, a senior government official. Tat was 16 at the time. No one has ever been charged.
Irate Sivarak demands answers
Sivarak Chutipong gives his mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, a kiss on the cheek at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday on his return from Cambodia. SOMCHAI POOMLARDGovt, Kasit under fire to explain 'spy' drama
15/12/2009
Bangkok Post and AFP
Pressure is mounting on the government and the Foreign Ministry to take responsibility for the arrest and conviction of Sivarak Chutipong who returned to Thailand yesterday.
Mr Sivarak was the first to attack Thai authorities, demanding that Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary of the Thai embassy in Cambodia, speak out and restore his damaged reputation by confirming he was not involved in a government attempt to get the flight schedule of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Puea Thai Party which, with the help of de facto leader Thaksin, pushed hard to get a pardon for Mr Sivarak after he was convicted last week by a Phnom Penh court for spying, vowed to take the issue to parliament to grill the government during the censure debate next month.
Yesterday the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by the opposition party, made further moves on the issue by demanding Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Mr Kamrob appear before it to clarify the spying allegations.
Mr Sivarak was the first to attack Thai authorities, demanding that Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary of the Thai embassy in Cambodia, speak out and restore his damaged reputation by confirming he was not involved in a government attempt to get the flight schedule of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Puea Thai Party which, with the help of de facto leader Thaksin, pushed hard to get a pardon for Mr Sivarak after he was convicted last week by a Phnom Penh court for spying, vowed to take the issue to parliament to grill the government during the censure debate next month.
Yesterday the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by the opposition party, made further moves on the issue by demanding Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Mr Kamrob appear before it to clarify the spying allegations.
Kamrob did not request Thaksin's flight plan: [Thai] MFA
December 15, 2009
The Nation
The flight plan of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was not a topic of telephone conversation between Thai diplomat Kamrob Palawatwichai and Thai engineer Sivarak Chutipong, secretary to the foreign minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said on Tuesday.
Chavanond was speaking in rigorous defence of Kamrob's role which led to Sivarak's conviction for spying in Phnom Penh.
"Statements by Kamrob and Sivarak have confirmed Kamrob did not ask for the flight plan," Chavanond said.
read more “Kamrob did not request Thaksin's flight plan: [Thai] MFA”
The Nation
The flight plan of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was not a topic of telephone conversation between Thai diplomat Kamrob Palawatwichai and Thai engineer Sivarak Chutipong, secretary to the foreign minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said on Tuesday.
Chavanond was speaking in rigorous defence of Kamrob's role which led to Sivarak's conviction for spying in Phnom Penh.
"Statements by Kamrob and Sivarak have confirmed Kamrob did not ask for the flight plan," Chavanond said.
Irate Sivarak demands answers
Sivarak Chutipong gives his mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, a kiss on the cheek at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday on his return from Cambodia. SOMCHAI POOMLARD
Govt, Kasit under fire to explain 'spy' drama
15/12/2009
Bangkok Post and AFP
Pressure is mounting on the government and the Foreign Ministry to take responsibility for the arrest and conviction of Sivarak Chutipong who returned to Thailand yesterday.
Mr Sivarak was the first to attack Thai authorities, demanding that Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary of the Thai embassy in Cambodia, speak out and restore his damaged reputation by confirming he was not involved in a government attempt to get the flight schedule of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Puea Thai Party which, with the help of de facto leader Thaksin, pushed hard to get a pardon for Mr Sivarak after he was convicted last week by a Phnom Penh court for spying, vowed to take the issue to parliament to grill the government during the censure debate next month.
Yesterday the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by the opposition party, made further moves on the issue by demanding Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Mr Kamrob appear before it to clarify the spying allegations.
Mr Sivarak, an engineer for Cambodia Airport Traffic Services, was sentenced to seven years in jail and fined 10 million riel (100,000 baht) on Dec 8 after being arrested by Cambodian authorities and detained since Nov 12. He was granted a pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni on Friday.
"He [Mr Kamrob] should come out and tell the truth to the public about whether he really made a phone call to me to ask about the VIP plane's schedule. I didn't know who was on board, especially Dr Thaksin," he told reporters shortly after landing at Suvarnabhumi airport from the Cambodian capital.
"I am not a spy. If I were a spy, there would not have been any evidence left," he said. "From now on I want to spend my life with my family. I have not decided yet whether to return to work in Cambodia."
Mr Sivarak denied widespread speculation that the entire incident was a plot by Puea Thai and Thaksin to discredit the government and boost the popularity of the convicted former prime minister, who on Sunday arrived in Phnom Penh to arrange for his release.
The 31-year-old engineer briefed Thaksin on every detail of his case, but said he had no political motive in talking about the issue.
His mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, refused to accept she and her son were part of a political game.
"No mother in the world would set up a situation which would send her son to jail. If I were that type of mother, I would be a very bad person. I have to thank everyone for helping to get my son released," she said.
"I want everything to come to an end because my family wants to return to a normal life."
Puea Thai MP for Udon Thani Torpong Chaiyasarn, who heads the house foreign affairs committee, said Mr Kasit and Mr Kamrob had been sent a letter demanding they clarify the issue at a committee hearing.
"Even though Mr Sivarak has been released, the foreign minister should step forward to do something, or even apologise to Mr Sivarak. Justice must be served in this case," Mr Torpong said.
Mr Kasit was not available for comment as he was not in the country.
His secretary, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, insisted there would be no reaction from Mr Kamrob and stressed there was no misconduct on the part of the first secretary or Mr Sivarak. "It will make no difference whether he speaks out or not," Mr Chavanond said.
A ministry source said Mr Kamrob was still turning up for work at the ministry after having been expelled by Phnom Penh in connection with the spying charge.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government was already in possession of the information on Thaksin's flight schedule so there was no need to try to steal it as alleged.
The issue should now be laid to rest and should not be exploited to create further problems, he said.
Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said he still believed the case was a publicity stunt.
Thepthai Senpong, Mr Abhisit's spokesman, said it was not beyond anyone's expectation that Thaksin would fly in to "inspect the filming of a drama which was coming to an end". As "a producer", Thaksin had to be there to see for himself and make sure the drama was properly done, Mr Thepthai said.
After his release from Prey Sar prison, Mr Sivarak went to the home of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to be presented with his signed royal pardon.
Ex-PM Thaksin taunts Thai govt over "spy" saga
Mon Dec 14, 2009
By Jared Ferrie
The exiled Thaksin's latest swipe at the government came during his second visit in just over a month to Cambodia, which he is using as a base to attack his opponents and rally his supporters ahead of a big push to force new elections back home.
The billionaire, who is on the run from a prison sentence for abuse of power, helped secure a royal pardon last week for engineer Siwarak Chutipongse, whose case has attracted huge media attention in Thailand and kept the spotlight firmly on Thaksin.
"He's been used by the (Thai) ministry of foreign affairs," Thaksin said after meeting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who said Siwarak -- sentenced to seven years for leaking Thaksin's flight schedule in November -- was a "political victim".
In contrast, many commentators in Thailand believe Thaksin and Hun Sen have used the spy saga to fuel the row and discredit Bangkok. Many suggest the verdict and subsequent pardon were planned in advance.
On his Twitter page, Thaksin said Siwarak was "used as a tool in typical Thai style".
Critics have dismissed Thaksin's visits and his role in seeking the pardon as publicity stunts to raise his profile and show the Thai government in a bad light as it struggles with low poll ratings and myriad problems at home.
Hun Sen has openly backed the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party in Thailand and calls the former tycoon his "eternal friend", who he says will not be extradited because his conviction was engineered by influential opponents keen to sideline him.
The extradition issue and Cambodia's asylum offer to Thaksin led to the recall and expulsion of diplomats and the freezing of bilateral agreements, including a pact to jointly develop untapped energy reserves in the Gulf of Thailand.
DIPLOMATIC STANDOFF
Neither side has made any move to restore diplomatic relations, now at their lowest point since January 2003, when Cambodian mobs vandalised Thai businesses in Phnom Penh and torched the Thai embassy over unsubstantiated rumours that an actress claimed an ancient Khmer temple belonged to Thailand.
Sirawak, an air traffic control engineer based in Phnom Penh, was accused of leaking Thaksin's flight details to a Thai diplomat. Cambodia then took temporary control of Thai-operated Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS) and suspended Thai expatriates at the company.
In Bangkok, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Sirawak's arrest and release were "scripted and staged", adding it could take time to heal diplomatic rifts.
"(Relations) are not very good and Thaksin was the cause of many of the issues," Suthep told reporters.
"We have to find a way to fix things so they return to normal or at least with as little conflict as possible."
Thaksin plans to stay in Cambodia for several days and will hold seminars in his role as an economic adviser, government spokesman Phay Siphan said.
Analysts say Thaksin's continued presence in Cambodia could worsen a five-year political crisis in Thailand that has spooked investors and appears to be intensifying.
Twice elected in landslides and still highly popular among the poor, Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006 but has since used his vast war chest to mobilise supporters and attack opponents from exile, laying the foundations for a future return to power.
‘Enemies of the People’ To Show at Sundance
By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
14 December 2009
“Enemies of the People,” a documentary that demonstrates the Khmer Rouge chain of command, will show at the Sundance Film Festival in the US in January.
The film was selected out of 782 film documentaries in the World Cinema Documentary category and will compete with 11 other films at the prestigious festival, held each year in various towns in the state of Utah, including Sundance.
The category includes films from Brazil, France, Ireland, the Palestinian territories and others.
Sundance organizers describe the story: “A young journalist whose family was killed by the Khmer Rouge befriends the perpetrators of the Killing Fields genocide, evoking shocking revelations.”
The film was produced by Thet Sambath, a journalist for the English-language Phnom Penh Post, and Rob Lemkin, an experienced producer who has worked with the BBC and The History Channel.
The film also demonstrates the chain of command of the Khmer Rouge, connecting the way in which cadre passed down orders, “from the top to the bottom,” Lemkin said in a recent interview.
“This documentary explains clearly [about the regime], so that once it is out, Cambodian victims will understand why there were killings, lack of food to eat, and why people died,” Thet Sambath said. “At least 98 percent of the truth will be revealed if not 100 percent.”
The film comes at a time when the Khmer Rouge tribunal in Phnom Penh is preparing a case against senior leaders of the regime, including its chief ideologue, Nuon Chea, who Thet Sambath interviewed at length.
It is unclear whether “Enemies of the People” will be used as evidence in the court.
“It is up to judges to decide on any documentary to use in the court’s legal procedures,” tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said. “But in general we praise those who have the goodwill to produce a documentary film or a movie for younger generations or Cambodian people to use to garner more knowledge about Democratic Kampuchea.”
Following Sundance, the producers say they will focus on Cambodia.
“We really hope that this film can be released in Cambodia and that it can be an agent of positive change in Cambodia,” Lemkin said. “It can give confidence to those people to speak openly about what they were involved with, so that future generations in Cambodia will not be at a loss to understand what happened.”
The film was selected out of 782 film documentaries in the World Cinema Documentary category and will compete with 11 other films at the prestigious festival, held each year in various towns in the state of Utah, including Sundance.
The category includes films from Brazil, France, Ireland, the Palestinian territories and others.
Sundance organizers describe the story: “A young journalist whose family was killed by the Khmer Rouge befriends the perpetrators of the Killing Fields genocide, evoking shocking revelations.”
The film was produced by Thet Sambath, a journalist for the English-language Phnom Penh Post, and Rob Lemkin, an experienced producer who has worked with the BBC and The History Channel.
The film also demonstrates the chain of command of the Khmer Rouge, connecting the way in which cadre passed down orders, “from the top to the bottom,” Lemkin said in a recent interview.
“This documentary explains clearly [about the regime], so that once it is out, Cambodian victims will understand why there were killings, lack of food to eat, and why people died,” Thet Sambath said. “At least 98 percent of the truth will be revealed if not 100 percent.”
The film comes at a time when the Khmer Rouge tribunal in Phnom Penh is preparing a case against senior leaders of the regime, including its chief ideologue, Nuon Chea, who Thet Sambath interviewed at length.
It is unclear whether “Enemies of the People” will be used as evidence in the court.
“It is up to judges to decide on any documentary to use in the court’s legal procedures,” tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said. “But in general we praise those who have the goodwill to produce a documentary film or a movie for younger generations or Cambodian people to use to garner more knowledge about Democratic Kampuchea.”
Following Sundance, the producers say they will focus on Cambodia.
“We really hope that this film can be released in Cambodia and that it can be an agent of positive change in Cambodia,” Lemkin said. “It can give confidence to those people to speak openly about what they were involved with, so that future generations in Cambodia will not be at a loss to understand what happened.”
Thaksin revels in shameless Cambodian sham
December 15, 2009
By Sopon Onkgara
The Nation
THAKSIN Shinawatra tried to make the most out of the hard-sought good light in Cambodia when he met Sivarak Chutipong, who was released from prison yesterday after a month-long captivity. Together with his mother, Sivarak- the victim of a cheap plot to embarrass Thailand and favour Thaksin - showed little emotion when he met the friend of his late father.
Thaksin appeared patriarchal and patronising when he faced Sivarak, whose father was a former partner in movie production with the fugitive ex-premier. The two had shared ups and downs and a debt load due to poor results in the movie world.
Thaksin was in Phnom Penh for the release of Sivarak, who should have been freed on Friday after the royal pardon by the Cambodian King. But no, that would be too good to let go without Thaksin's participation as a self-perceived victim of a possible attempt on his life.
As we all know, Sivarak had been arrested for passing on information relating to Thaksin's previous flight schedule to Cambodia, to the first secretary at the Thai Embassy, who was later expelled from Phnom Penh. Cambodian authorities claim the Thai billionaire is an adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen and also a Cambodian citizen. So he deserved security protection.
Again, we all know that this was a sham concocted by Hun Sen and Thaksin to embarrass Thailand in retaliation for Bangkok's earlier decision to recall its ambassador from Phnom Penh and annul an important joint memorandum of understanding, depriving Hun Sen of a chance to exploit petroleum resources offshore.
Reports suggest that Thaksin was in Phnom Penh before the time of release because he wanted to question Sivarak personally and find out who is behind what he perceives as a sinister plot to go after him while he is on the run from a two-year jail term and numerous criminal charges back home.
But how would he be able to get any useful information? A flight schedule is not guarded or exclusive information. It is in the public domain. What's more, the urgency on the part of Cambodia was based on the probable fear that the Thai side might want to ask how the Cambodian authorities know about the phone conversation between Sivarak and the first secretary, if not by phone tapping.
The sham was designed to enable Thaksin and his plotters to score points from a naive and gullible public for a while. But those who have been following the charade were able to predict in advance how the issue would end. They could not drag it on further. It would be laughable overacting.
Thaksin will be in Cambodia for a few days. In his "advisory" role, he will conduct an economic workshop for Cambodian bureaucrats and businessmen, sharing his knowledge and worldview with those under the iron-fisted rule of Hun Sen, the village tyrant.
What should Thaksin talk about? Populist programmes are not easy to implement in Cambodia due to paucity of budget, and Hun Sen will certainly not want to spend at a time when revenue from tourism and casinos is on the decline since the diplomatic trouble with Thailand.
There is one issue upon which Thaksin can enlighten the poor souls in Cambodia: The real-estate bubble in Dubai and the subsequent debt standstill. He could show his flair by rescuing the state from impending debt crisis now that real-estate prices have plummeted by more than 50 per cent.
Oh yes, Thaksin should also tell the Cambodians how to avoid being conned into bum deals like the one that's led to his inability to seek repayments from his partners in Dubai, who made him part with substantial wealth. The collapse of the real-estate market there, and the dwindling clout of the ruling sheikh, has made Thaksin feel less secure in terms of refuge.
While in Phnom Penh, he will hold a workshop with his sisters and political cronies to plot their next move in regaining power and the assets now under risk of being confiscated by the government. Of course, the war plan will entail heavy expenses to keep up the morale of his war dogs for the fight. He should consider a fall-back position and a permanent place for refuge.
After rambling on to just over 10,000 of his followers on December 10, Thaksin should know that it will be far more difficult than he earlier believed to dislodge the Abhisit government from power - more so if his cronies still want to topple the monarchy.
Hundreds of thousands of people thronged Rajdamneon Avenue during His Majesty's birthday celebration, showing total loyalty and dedication to the King. This serves as strong testimony that the monarchy remains invincible, beyond the ability of Thaksin and his cronies to succeed in their plan.
read more “Thaksin revels in shameless Cambodian sham”
By Sopon Onkgara
The Nation
THAKSIN Shinawatra tried to make the most out of the hard-sought good light in Cambodia when he met Sivarak Chutipong, who was released from prison yesterday after a month-long captivity. Together with his mother, Sivarak- the victim of a cheap plot to embarrass Thailand and favour Thaksin - showed little emotion when he met the friend of his late father.
Thaksin appeared patriarchal and patronising when he faced Sivarak, whose father was a former partner in movie production with the fugitive ex-premier. The two had shared ups and downs and a debt load due to poor results in the movie world.
Thaksin was in Phnom Penh for the release of Sivarak, who should have been freed on Friday after the royal pardon by the Cambodian King. But no, that would be too good to let go without Thaksin's participation as a self-perceived victim of a possible attempt on his life.
As we all know, Sivarak had been arrested for passing on information relating to Thaksin's previous flight schedule to Cambodia, to the first secretary at the Thai Embassy, who was later expelled from Phnom Penh. Cambodian authorities claim the Thai billionaire is an adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen and also a Cambodian citizen. So he deserved security protection.
Again, we all know that this was a sham concocted by Hun Sen and Thaksin to embarrass Thailand in retaliation for Bangkok's earlier decision to recall its ambassador from Phnom Penh and annul an important joint memorandum of understanding, depriving Hun Sen of a chance to exploit petroleum resources offshore.
Reports suggest that Thaksin was in Phnom Penh before the time of release because he wanted to question Sivarak personally and find out who is behind what he perceives as a sinister plot to go after him while he is on the run from a two-year jail term and numerous criminal charges back home.
But how would he be able to get any useful information? A flight schedule is not guarded or exclusive information. It is in the public domain. What's more, the urgency on the part of Cambodia was based on the probable fear that the Thai side might want to ask how the Cambodian authorities know about the phone conversation between Sivarak and the first secretary, if not by phone tapping.
The sham was designed to enable Thaksin and his plotters to score points from a naive and gullible public for a while. But those who have been following the charade were able to predict in advance how the issue would end. They could not drag it on further. It would be laughable overacting.
Thaksin will be in Cambodia for a few days. In his "advisory" role, he will conduct an economic workshop for Cambodian bureaucrats and businessmen, sharing his knowledge and worldview with those under the iron-fisted rule of Hun Sen, the village tyrant.
What should Thaksin talk about? Populist programmes are not easy to implement in Cambodia due to paucity of budget, and Hun Sen will certainly not want to spend at a time when revenue from tourism and casinos is on the decline since the diplomatic trouble with Thailand.
There is one issue upon which Thaksin can enlighten the poor souls in Cambodia: The real-estate bubble in Dubai and the subsequent debt standstill. He could show his flair by rescuing the state from impending debt crisis now that real-estate prices have plummeted by more than 50 per cent.
Oh yes, Thaksin should also tell the Cambodians how to avoid being conned into bum deals like the one that's led to his inability to seek repayments from his partners in Dubai, who made him part with substantial wealth. The collapse of the real-estate market there, and the dwindling clout of the ruling sheikh, has made Thaksin feel less secure in terms of refuge.
While in Phnom Penh, he will hold a workshop with his sisters and political cronies to plot their next move in regaining power and the assets now under risk of being confiscated by the government. Of course, the war plan will entail heavy expenses to keep up the morale of his war dogs for the fight. He should consider a fall-back position and a permanent place for refuge.
After rambling on to just over 10,000 of his followers on December 10, Thaksin should know that it will be far more difficult than he earlier believed to dislodge the Abhisit government from power - more so if his cronies still want to topple the monarchy.
Hundreds of thousands of people thronged Rajdamneon Avenue during His Majesty's birthday celebration, showing total loyalty and dedication to the King. This serves as strong testimony that the monarchy remains invincible, beyond the ability of Thaksin and his cronies to succeed in their plan.
Sivarak set to a hot potato?
December 15, 2009
The Nation
Pheu Thai ready to use 'spy' case as reason for censure
Sivarak Chutipong, who was released from imprisonment in Cambodia yesterday, brought home a hot political potato, giving the opposition an excuse to use his case to grill the government.
The engineer, who received a royal pardon releasing him from a seven-year jail sentence, blamed the Foreign Ministry for causing him problems. He was accused and convicted of spying on fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's flight details and passing them on to Thai diplomat Kamrob Palawatwichai, who was expelled.
The government and the media have painted his case as a story set up to discredit Thai authorities for lacking the ability to help Thais overseas.
"I'm a victim. I want Kamrob to tell the public honestly why he wanted the flight information from me. Who instructed him to do that?" Sivarak said upon arrival. "I gave it to him because I didn't think it was a secret - but I don't know his real intentions."
Sivarak was released after Thaksin returned to Cambodia and visited him at the Prey Sor Prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh on Sunday. The engineer, whom Thaksin called a political victim, was received at Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's home before departing for Bangkok.
"From now on Sivarak is free and can do what he wants," Hun Sen said at a ceremony attended by Sivarak's mother and Pheu Thai Party members. Hun Sen's assistant Eang Sophalleth said Thaksin played a major role in the man's release.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was glad Sivarak had been freed and urged all parties to stop criticising the case. "It should be over, we shall not widen the issue," he said, adding that his government did not need Thaksin's flight data from Sivarak because it already had it. He also said the government was ready to explain the whole story should the opposition use it as a reason for censure motion.
Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the Foreign Minister, said Kamrob had voiced regret over Sivarak's case but was not allowed to make any comments.
Torpong Chaiyasarn, chairman of the House of Representative's Foreign Affairs Committee, said his panel would summon Kamrob and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to testify over Sivarak's case.
read more “Sivarak set to a hot potato?”
The Nation
Pheu Thai ready to use 'spy' case as reason for censure
Sivarak Chutipong, who was released from imprisonment in Cambodia yesterday, brought home a hot political potato, giving the opposition an excuse to use his case to grill the government.
The engineer, who received a royal pardon releasing him from a seven-year jail sentence, blamed the Foreign Ministry for causing him problems. He was accused and convicted of spying on fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's flight details and passing them on to Thai diplomat Kamrob Palawatwichai, who was expelled.
The government and the media have painted his case as a story set up to discredit Thai authorities for lacking the ability to help Thais overseas.
"I'm a victim. I want Kamrob to tell the public honestly why he wanted the flight information from me. Who instructed him to do that?" Sivarak said upon arrival. "I gave it to him because I didn't think it was a secret - but I don't know his real intentions."
Sivarak was released after Thaksin returned to Cambodia and visited him at the Prey Sor Prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh on Sunday. The engineer, whom Thaksin called a political victim, was received at Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's home before departing for Bangkok.
"From now on Sivarak is free and can do what he wants," Hun Sen said at a ceremony attended by Sivarak's mother and Pheu Thai Party members. Hun Sen's assistant Eang Sophalleth said Thaksin played a major role in the man's release.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was glad Sivarak had been freed and urged all parties to stop criticising the case. "It should be over, we shall not widen the issue," he said, adding that his government did not need Thaksin's flight data from Sivarak because it already had it. He also said the government was ready to explain the whole story should the opposition use it as a reason for censure motion.
Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the Foreign Minister, said Kamrob had voiced regret over Sivarak's case but was not allowed to make any comments.
Torpong Chaiyasarn, chairman of the House of Representative's Foreign Affairs Committee, said his panel would summon Kamrob and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to testify over Sivarak's case.
[Alleged Thai spy] Sivarak back home
14/12/2009
Bangkok Post
Released spy Sivarak Chutipong arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday evening and told reporters he "felt like a victim".
Mr Sivarak, who was accompanied by his mother Simarak na Nakhon Phanom and Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit, was greeted by a swarm of reporters upon arrival.
Asked whether the Foreign Ministry helped him when he was detained in Prey Sar prison in Cambodia, he said the ministry did try to help him, but the Thai and Cambodian governments were not on good terms.
Asked if his case was staged, he said it was not possible since Mr Kamrob, a Thai diplomat, contacted him first.
"I wouldn't put my life at stake, since I already had a good job," Mr Sivarak said. "I feel like I'm a victim but in what sense I don't know."
He said it would be better if Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh who asked him for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's flight information last month, would clarify the situation.
"I have yet to talk Mr Kamrob. I would like him to say something, or at least call my mother."
Mr Sivarak said he would return home immediately and had no plans to meet any senior Puea Thai officials.
read more “[Alleged Thai spy] Sivarak back home”
Bangkok Post
Released spy Sivarak Chutipong arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday evening and told reporters he "felt like a victim".
Mr Sivarak, who was accompanied by his mother Simarak na Nakhon Phanom and Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit, was greeted by a swarm of reporters upon arrival.
Asked whether the Foreign Ministry helped him when he was detained in Prey Sar prison in Cambodia, he said the ministry did try to help him, but the Thai and Cambodian governments were not on good terms.
Asked if his case was staged, he said it was not possible since Mr Kamrob, a Thai diplomat, contacted him first.
"I wouldn't put my life at stake, since I already had a good job," Mr Sivarak said. "I feel like I'm a victim but in what sense I don't know."
He said it would be better if Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh who asked him for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's flight information last month, would clarify the situation.
"I have yet to talk Mr Kamrob. I would like him to say something, or at least call my mother."
Mr Sivarak said he would return home immediately and had no plans to meet any senior Puea Thai officials.
Som Niyeay Phang - Op-Ed by Angkor Borey News
Click on the article in Khmer to zoom inInternational Human Rights Day - CAHRAD Media Release
International Human Rights Day
CAHRAD Media Release
December 10, 2009
“Cambodia’s constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression and association, both of which are fundamental to a vibrant democracy,” “Without this freedom the goal of justice becomes an illusion.”
We at CAHRAD join in solidarity with our compatriots around the world and Cambodia’s citizens in their enduring struggle for basic freedoms, human rights, social justice and human dignity. We call upon the United Nations and international donors to use their influence to exercise pressure upon the Cambodian government to respect basic the human rights of its citizens including their rights to own property and earn a decent living, freedom of assembly and expression, and social justice.
“Justice must be accessible to all Cambodian citizens including the poor and marginalized, and the law must be applied fairly to all including the rich and powerful,” “Cambodia’s courts have been failing to provide justice to numerous victims of human rights abuses on a daily basis, real reforms of the courts, to strengthen their independence and professional and to eliminate corruption, are desperately needed.”
The continued corruption of the Cambodian government has been robbing the Cambodian people of resources that are needed for the development of Cambodia that is not at the expense of the poor. CAHRAD supports the Community Legal Education Center (CLEC) in that “There must be an end to forced evictions, and there must be government policies which ensure and enable participation and rights to information, expression and movement for everyone.”
Poor people all over Cambodia have been losing their land to rich and powerful Cambodians and foreigners who are well-connected land-grabbers operating with impunity because of collusion by the government and its police and armed forces, and the weakness of the judicial system. The corrupt Cambodian government must also stop ceding and selling Cambodia’s land and resources to foreigners and its neighbors, and use the proceeds from exploitation of its resources for the betterment of common Cambodian citizens. Government policies “have subverted the essential principles of democracy and due process, deprive people of their economic resources and means of livelihood and denied them their dignity."
CAHRAD calls upon the Cambodian government to cease the muzzling of free speech, the pervasive corruption, the participation of government officials directly or indirectly in their involvement in human trafficking, and its continued violations of human rights.
Cambodian Americans for Human Rights and Democracy (CAHRAD)
"Democracy, Freedom and Justice for All"
Email: info@CAHRAD.org
Website: http://www.CAHRAD.org
Climate Change Campaigners in Cambodia calls on world leaders with fair, ambitious deal
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- About four hundreds of climate change campaigners coming from a cross sector of society in Cambodia on Monday gathered at Public Park in Phnom Penh downtown, calling on the world leaders to reach fair, ambitious and binding global climate deal at Copenhagen and sending a powerful message to these leaders that "Time to Act is Running Out."
They also demanded rich countries to take their fair shares in tackling the climate crisis. The participants also organized a tcktcktck Human Countdown as a part of an international campaign of the Global Climate Change Alliance.
This striking event came amidst the U.N. climate conference where heads of state and representatives from 192 countries are negotiating the future of the planet.
"When climate change make seasons less predictable, storms more frequent and weather conditions more difficult to manage like what we recently experienced in Cambodia, it is the poorest people who suffer most and least prepared to adapt," said Brian Lund, east Asia Regional Director for Oxfam America.
"This undermines poverty alleviation efforts and the millennium development goals and leads to more migration, more conflicts and a less stable world," he said.
Cambodia is affected by the climate change mainly due to changing rainfall patterns, flood, storms and another extreme weather conditions which possess a real threat to people's livelihood, a press release of the event said, adding that it has negative impacts on agriculture threatening food security.
Cambodia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts due to its low capacity and limited resources to address climate change.
read more “Climate Change Campaigners in Cambodia calls on world leaders with fair, ambitious deal”
They also demanded rich countries to take their fair shares in tackling the climate crisis. The participants also organized a tcktcktck Human Countdown as a part of an international campaign of the Global Climate Change Alliance.
This striking event came amidst the U.N. climate conference where heads of state and representatives from 192 countries are negotiating the future of the planet.
"When climate change make seasons less predictable, storms more frequent and weather conditions more difficult to manage like what we recently experienced in Cambodia, it is the poorest people who suffer most and least prepared to adapt," said Brian Lund, east Asia Regional Director for Oxfam America.
"This undermines poverty alleviation efforts and the millennium development goals and leads to more migration, more conflicts and a less stable world," he said.
Cambodia is affected by the climate change mainly due to changing rainfall patterns, flood, storms and another extreme weather conditions which possess a real threat to people's livelihood, a press release of the event said, adding that it has negative impacts on agriculture threatening food security.
Cambodia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts due to its low capacity and limited resources to address climate change.
Convicted Thai spy released from Cambodian jail
Monday, December 14, 2009
AFP
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia Monday released a Thai man convicted and then pardoned for spying on Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, witnesses and officials said.
The release of Siwarak Chothipong came as Thaksin paid a visit to Cambodia that could inflame diplomatic tensions between Bangkok and Phnom Penh. Thaksin visited Siwarak briefly in prison Sunday.
Siwarak, 31, a Thai employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, left Prey Sar prison early in the morning in a convoy of three cars after receiving a pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni on Friday, witnesses said.
Siwarak was initially sentenced to seven years in jail for supplying Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai embassy when the former prime minister visited Cambodia last month.
After his release, Siwarak went to a ceremony at the home of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to be presented with his signed royal pardon.
"From now on Siwarak has freedom and can carry out any business," Hun Sen said in front of reporters at the ceremony, which was also attended by Siwarak's mother and members of Thailand's main opposition party.
Thaksin was expected to arrive at Hun Sen's home later and join the ceremony.
Siwarak's arrest deepened a diplomatic crisis over Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin as an economic adviser, and its refusal to extradite the ousted leader to Thailand when he travelled to Phnom Penh last month.
Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006 and faces a two-year jail term in Thailand for corruption, landed in Phnom Penh Sunday.
The Thai government said it would press anew for his extradition, but Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said such a demand would be "just a waste of time".
Billionaire telecoms mogul Thaksin is living abroad, mostly in Dubai, to avoid the jail term handed down by a Thai court in absentia in September 2008.
Thaksin won two elections in Thailand and remains an influential political figure at home, stirring up mass protests by his "Red Shirt" supporters against the current government.
read more “Convicted Thai spy released from Cambodian jail”
AFP
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia Monday released a Thai man convicted and then pardoned for spying on Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, witnesses and officials said.
The release of Siwarak Chothipong came as Thaksin paid a visit to Cambodia that could inflame diplomatic tensions between Bangkok and Phnom Penh. Thaksin visited Siwarak briefly in prison Sunday.
Siwarak, 31, a Thai employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, left Prey Sar prison early in the morning in a convoy of three cars after receiving a pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni on Friday, witnesses said.
Siwarak was initially sentenced to seven years in jail for supplying Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai embassy when the former prime minister visited Cambodia last month.
After his release, Siwarak went to a ceremony at the home of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to be presented with his signed royal pardon.
"From now on Siwarak has freedom and can carry out any business," Hun Sen said in front of reporters at the ceremony, which was also attended by Siwarak's mother and members of Thailand's main opposition party.
Thaksin was expected to arrive at Hun Sen's home later and join the ceremony.
Siwarak's arrest deepened a diplomatic crisis over Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin as an economic adviser, and its refusal to extradite the ousted leader to Thailand when he travelled to Phnom Penh last month.
Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006 and faces a two-year jail term in Thailand for corruption, landed in Phnom Penh Sunday.
The Thai government said it would press anew for his extradition, but Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said such a demand would be "just a waste of time".
Billionaire telecoms mogul Thaksin is living abroad, mostly in Dubai, to avoid the jail term handed down by a Thai court in absentia in September 2008.
Thaksin won two elections in Thailand and remains an influential political figure at home, stirring up mass protests by his "Red Shirt" supporters against the current government.
Suthep: Thaksin barrier to renewed ties
14/12/2009
Bangkok Post
There will be no progress toward restoring Thai-Cambodian ties if Cambodia refuses to extradite fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday.
"I'm deeply concerned if Cambodia refuses to extradite Thaksin, because I don't how to continue relations between the two countries," Mr Suthep said.
He said it was the government's duty to bring Thaksin back to the country since he was a fugitive and still engaged in political activities. The Foreign Ministry had done its best to deal with the ousted premier.
Asked about the release of convicted Thai spy Sivarak Chutipong in Phnom Penh and the opposition's plan to raise this case in the expected no-confidence motion against the government, Mr Suthep said he was not surprised and believed Mr Sivarak's case was politically motivated.
Mr Sivarak, a 31-year-old employee at the Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services, was arrested in Cambodia last month for passing on Thaksin's flight information to a Thai diplomat. He was sentenced to seven years in jail last week but received a royal pardon from the Cambodian king on Friday. He was set free today.
read more “Suthep: Thaksin barrier to renewed ties”
Bangkok Post
There will be no progress toward restoring Thai-Cambodian ties if Cambodia refuses to extradite fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday.
"I'm deeply concerned if Cambodia refuses to extradite Thaksin, because I don't how to continue relations between the two countries," Mr Suthep said.
He said it was the government's duty to bring Thaksin back to the country since he was a fugitive and still engaged in political activities. The Foreign Ministry had done its best to deal with the ousted premier.
Asked about the release of convicted Thai spy Sivarak Chutipong in Phnom Penh and the opposition's plan to raise this case in the expected no-confidence motion against the government, Mr Suthep said he was not surprised and believed Mr Sivarak's case was politically motivated.
Mr Sivarak, a 31-year-old employee at the Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services, was arrested in Cambodia last month for passing on Thaksin's flight information to a Thai diplomat. He was sentenced to seven years in jail last week but received a royal pardon from the Cambodian king on Friday. He was set free today.
Historic Khmer Rouge tribunal has lessons for the world
Mon, 14 Dec 2009
DPA
Phnom Penh - The crimes committed by the Khmer Rouge in the late 1970s finally came to court in 2009 when Comrade Duch, the former head of the regime's torture and execution centre, went on trial in Phnom Penh for crimes against humanity and war crimes. The trial is significant as Duch, whose real name is Kaing Guek Eav, is the first Khmer Rouge member to be prosecuted in an internationally recognized court. The verdict is due in early 2010. Moreover, his case and that of four other surviving Khmer Rouge leaders will likely have implications that reverberate beyond Cambodia's borders.
Nobody knows how many people died under the Khmer Rouge. Most estimates range between 1.5 and 2 million people from a population of perhaps 8 million. For many people Cambodia remains defined by its Killing Fields moniker.
Despite the level of killing, the tribunal has gone largely unnoticed in the international media. However, trial observers said it marks a key component in a shift in international criminal justice away from impunity and towards some sort of accountability for those who commit the worst crimes.
Genocide Watch president Gregory Stanton, who has been involved in research into Khmer Rouge crimes since the early 1980s, said trials such as Duch's are the first steps towards changing global rules.
"Impunity because of state sovereignty has been the story up till now - rulers could basically get away with crimes against humanity committed against their own people. There was total impunity," he said. "I think we are creating a new world order in which rulers cannot expect that any more."
Stanton said another reason this tribunal and that of former Liberian president Charles Taylor in The Hague are of historic importance is because of the way they were established.
"Both of these trials were created by an agreement between national governments and the United Nations," he said. "The international community is working hand in hand with national governments to put on trial people who have committed crimes in their own nations."
David J Scheffer, the former US war crimes ambassador involved in negotiations to establish the Khmer Rouge tribunal, said he is encouraged that the Duch trial has shown international standards of due process can be met with a mix of domestic and foreign staff.
"The great aim of international criminal justice today is to build domestic courts that can render justice comparable to the international courts," Scheffer wrote in an email. "The Duch trial is an important first step in that direction for Cambodia."
Last month's final arguments in the Duch trial were broadcast live on all Cambodian television stations. Heather Ryan, a trial monitor for the George-Soros-funded Open Society Justice Initiative, pointed out one way in which the Khmer Rouge tribunal is arguably superior to the Taylor trial: Duch is being tried in the country in which he committed his crimes.
"That has generated a kind of discussion about justice in this country that has not existed before," Ryan said. "And you would never have had that if this tribunal were taking place in The Hague."
Another unique feature is the participation of civil claimants - some of them survivors of Duch's S-21 prison, but most of them relatives of people murdered there on his orders.
Their testimony brought a daily reminder of the damage done by the Khmer Rouge, and Stanton applauds their participation.
"It's like a constant presence that the judges always have to keep in mind," he said.
There was criticism that victim participation slowed down Duch's trial. However, Scheffer said that is an acceptable price, since it broadens the reach of international justice in cases where there are so many victims.
"The issue really is not whether victims have a role in the trial proceedings," Scheffer said. "Rather the debate is over how extensive that role should be and how large victims' groups should be represented in the courtroom."
Ryan said trials such as Duch's help to create an understanding worldwide that there is "a level of atrocity that is not acceptable."
She added that the crimes of the Khmer Rouge were unique in international tribunals in that they were not by and large motivated by an ethnic divide. Cambodia, a highly homogenous society, saw Cambodians killing Cambodians.
"The broader the range of situations in which there are trials, the more universal the concepts become," she said. "In large part it was a politically-motivated situation, and so that broadens the kinds of situations to which international criminal justice has been applied."
read more “Historic Khmer Rouge tribunal has lessons for the world”
DPA
Phnom Penh - The crimes committed by the Khmer Rouge in the late 1970s finally came to court in 2009 when Comrade Duch, the former head of the regime's torture and execution centre, went on trial in Phnom Penh for crimes against humanity and war crimes. The trial is significant as Duch, whose real name is Kaing Guek Eav, is the first Khmer Rouge member to be prosecuted in an internationally recognized court. The verdict is due in early 2010. Moreover, his case and that of four other surviving Khmer Rouge leaders will likely have implications that reverberate beyond Cambodia's borders.
Nobody knows how many people died under the Khmer Rouge. Most estimates range between 1.5 and 2 million people from a population of perhaps 8 million. For many people Cambodia remains defined by its Killing Fields moniker.
Despite the level of killing, the tribunal has gone largely unnoticed in the international media. However, trial observers said it marks a key component in a shift in international criminal justice away from impunity and towards some sort of accountability for those who commit the worst crimes.
Genocide Watch president Gregory Stanton, who has been involved in research into Khmer Rouge crimes since the early 1980s, said trials such as Duch's are the first steps towards changing global rules.
"Impunity because of state sovereignty has been the story up till now - rulers could basically get away with crimes against humanity committed against their own people. There was total impunity," he said. "I think we are creating a new world order in which rulers cannot expect that any more."
Stanton said another reason this tribunal and that of former Liberian president Charles Taylor in The Hague are of historic importance is because of the way they were established.
"Both of these trials were created by an agreement between national governments and the United Nations," he said. "The international community is working hand in hand with national governments to put on trial people who have committed crimes in their own nations."
David J Scheffer, the former US war crimes ambassador involved in negotiations to establish the Khmer Rouge tribunal, said he is encouraged that the Duch trial has shown international standards of due process can be met with a mix of domestic and foreign staff.
"The great aim of international criminal justice today is to build domestic courts that can render justice comparable to the international courts," Scheffer wrote in an email. "The Duch trial is an important first step in that direction for Cambodia."
Last month's final arguments in the Duch trial were broadcast live on all Cambodian television stations. Heather Ryan, a trial monitor for the George-Soros-funded Open Society Justice Initiative, pointed out one way in which the Khmer Rouge tribunal is arguably superior to the Taylor trial: Duch is being tried in the country in which he committed his crimes.
"That has generated a kind of discussion about justice in this country that has not existed before," Ryan said. "And you would never have had that if this tribunal were taking place in The Hague."
Another unique feature is the participation of civil claimants - some of them survivors of Duch's S-21 prison, but most of them relatives of people murdered there on his orders.
Their testimony brought a daily reminder of the damage done by the Khmer Rouge, and Stanton applauds their participation.
"It's like a constant presence that the judges always have to keep in mind," he said.
There was criticism that victim participation slowed down Duch's trial. However, Scheffer said that is an acceptable price, since it broadens the reach of international justice in cases where there are so many victims.
"The issue really is not whether victims have a role in the trial proceedings," Scheffer said. "Rather the debate is over how extensive that role should be and how large victims' groups should be represented in the courtroom."
Ryan said trials such as Duch's help to create an understanding worldwide that there is "a level of atrocity that is not acceptable."
She added that the crimes of the Khmer Rouge were unique in international tribunals in that they were not by and large motivated by an ethnic divide. Cambodia, a highly homogenous society, saw Cambodians killing Cambodians.
"The broader the range of situations in which there are trials, the more universal the concepts become," she said. "In large part it was a politically-motivated situation, and so that broadens the kinds of situations to which international criminal justice has been applied."
The eternal friends reunited after an eternal separation ... of a few weeks
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) hugs fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra during a meeting at his house in Phnom Penh December 14, 2009. Thaksin returned to Cambodia on Sunday, a month after a visit that sparked a diplomatic row when the Cambodian government refused Bangkok's request to extradite him. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) hugs fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra during a meeting at his house in Phnom Penh December 14, 2009. Thaksin returned to Cambodia on Sunday, a month after a visit that sparked a diplomatic row when the Cambodian government refused Bangkok's request to extradite him. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra, right, chats with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, left, at Hus Sen's residence in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Cambodia on Monday officially released a Thai airline employee convicted of spying on Thaksin Sinawatra. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra, right, chats with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, left, at Hus Sen's residence in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Cambodia on Monday officially released a Thai airline employee convicted of spying on Thaksin Sinawatra. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) speaks with fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra during a meeting at his house in Phnom Penh December 14, 2009. Thaksin returned to Cambodia on Sunday, a month after a visit that sparked a diplomatic row when the Cambodian government refused Bangkok's request to extradite him. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea Cambodia releases Thai 'spy' in diplomatic drama
Mon, 14 Dec 2009
DPA
Bangkok - The Cambodian government on Monday released a Thai national convicted of spying on the official visit last month of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whose appointment as an economic adviser to the country has irked Thailand. Sivarak Chutipong, a Thai national jailed in Preysar Prison since November 12, was freed with a royal pardon granted by Cambodian King Sihamoni at Prime Minister Hun Sen's residence Monday morning, the state-run Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.
The ceremony was attended by Sivarak, his mother Simarak Na Nakhon Panom and four members of the Puea Thai opposition party, TNA said.
It was not immediately clear whether Thaksin, who flew in to Phnom Penh on Sunday, was present at the release which he helped engineer through a personal request to Hun Sen, a close friend.
Sivarak was scheduled to arrive in Bangkok Monday afternoon.
The 31-year-old aviation engineer was widely seen as a victim of a growing diplomatic spat between Thailand and Cambodia.
The former employee of Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services, was arrested in mid-November after the authorities accused him of passing on details of Thaksin's flight to a diplomat at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.
Last week, Sivarak was sentenced to seven years jail and fined 3,000 dollars for passing on the information.
Days after his conviction, Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni pardoned Sivarak after receiving requests for his pardon from his mother, members of the Puea Thai party and Thaksin.
Sivarak was arrested during a surprise visit by Thaksin, who was appointed as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government and a personal adviser to Hun Sen.
The news of those appointments riled Bangkok, and relations between the two nations plunged to their lowest point in years. Thaksin has an outstanding jail term against him in Thailand, but Cambodia rejected an extradition request filed by Bangkok during his visit.
In the diplomatic row surrounding the former Thai premier's visit, both nations recalled their ambassadors and expelled senior embassy staff. Neither ambassador has yet returned to their post.
read more “Cambodia releases Thai 'spy' in diplomatic drama”
DPA
Bangkok - The Cambodian government on Monday released a Thai national convicted of spying on the official visit last month of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whose appointment as an economic adviser to the country has irked Thailand. Sivarak Chutipong, a Thai national jailed in Preysar Prison since November 12, was freed with a royal pardon granted by Cambodian King Sihamoni at Prime Minister Hun Sen's residence Monday morning, the state-run Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.
The ceremony was attended by Sivarak, his mother Simarak Na Nakhon Panom and four members of the Puea Thai opposition party, TNA said.
It was not immediately clear whether Thaksin, who flew in to Phnom Penh on Sunday, was present at the release which he helped engineer through a personal request to Hun Sen, a close friend.
Sivarak was scheduled to arrive in Bangkok Monday afternoon.
The 31-year-old aviation engineer was widely seen as a victim of a growing diplomatic spat between Thailand and Cambodia.
The former employee of Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services, was arrested in mid-November after the authorities accused him of passing on details of Thaksin's flight to a diplomat at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.
Last week, Sivarak was sentenced to seven years jail and fined 3,000 dollars for passing on the information.
Days after his conviction, Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni pardoned Sivarak after receiving requests for his pardon from his mother, members of the Puea Thai party and Thaksin.
Sivarak was arrested during a surprise visit by Thaksin, who was appointed as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government and a personal adviser to Hun Sen.
The news of those appointments riled Bangkok, and relations between the two nations plunged to their lowest point in years. Thaksin has an outstanding jail term against him in Thailand, but Cambodia rejected an extradition request filed by Bangkok during his visit.
In the diplomatic row surrounding the former Thai premier's visit, both nations recalled their ambassadors and expelled senior embassy staff. Neither ambassador has yet returned to their post.
Convicted Thai man released, set to return home Monday afternoon
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Thai man who was convicted on espionage charge to seven years in jail in Cambodia was released Monday and he told reporters that he will return home later Monday.
Sivarak Chotipong, 31, was sentenced to seven years in jail and a fine of 10 million riel (about 2,500 U.S. dollars) last week by Phnom Penh Municipal Court, was officially released Monday, three days after he was pardoned by Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni.
After receiving document concerning the pardon handed to him by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, Sivarak told reporters that he hoped to return for work in Cambodia again but did not elaborate the time.
Sivarak, who wore nicely-suited jacket, was accompanied by his mother, and a few members of parliament from Pheu Thai Party.
Sivarak was working as an engineer employed by a Thai owned company, Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co. at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Cambodian court charged him for sending information of flight plans of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who made a visit to Cambodia on Nov. 10 -- to Thai government through its embassy in Phnom Penh.
On Sunday, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Cambodia for the second time and had met briefly with Sivarak in a prison at Prey Sar, about 15 kilometers south of Phnom Penh.
While he is in Phnom Penh, Thaksin will give lecture again to Cambodian officials on economic issues.
Thaksin posted on his own online Twitter page on Saturday that he is to travel to exchange ideas with leaders of three countries in Asia for seven to eight days.
It remains unclear how many days Thaksin will stay in Cambodia, but one government official said he might stay a few days in Cambodia.
Sivarak's mother has asked Thailand's opposition Pheu Thai Party for help to release her son.
A Cambodian official who asked not to be identified said Thaksin has played a key role in helping Sivarak to be released.
read more “Convicted Thai man released, set to return home Monday afternoon”
Sivarak Chotipong, 31, was sentenced to seven years in jail and a fine of 10 million riel (about 2,500 U.S. dollars) last week by Phnom Penh Municipal Court, was officially released Monday, three days after he was pardoned by Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni.
After receiving document concerning the pardon handed to him by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, Sivarak told reporters that he hoped to return for work in Cambodia again but did not elaborate the time.
Sivarak, who wore nicely-suited jacket, was accompanied by his mother, and a few members of parliament from Pheu Thai Party.
Sivarak was working as an engineer employed by a Thai owned company, Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co. at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Cambodian court charged him for sending information of flight plans of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who made a visit to Cambodia on Nov. 10 -- to Thai government through its embassy in Phnom Penh.
On Sunday, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Cambodia for the second time and had met briefly with Sivarak in a prison at Prey Sar, about 15 kilometers south of Phnom Penh.
While he is in Phnom Penh, Thaksin will give lecture again to Cambodian officials on economic issues.
Thaksin posted on his own online Twitter page on Saturday that he is to travel to exchange ideas with leaders of three countries in Asia for seven to eight days.
It remains unclear how many days Thaksin will stay in Cambodia, but one government official said he might stay a few days in Cambodia.
Sivarak's mother has asked Thailand's opposition Pheu Thai Party for help to release her son.
A Cambodian official who asked not to be identified said Thaksin has played a key role in helping Sivarak to be released.
Sleepless in Prey Sar? [No relation to "Sleepless in Seattle" -sic!-]
I had sleepless nights in Cambodian jail : Sivarak
Mon, December 14, 2009
The Nation
Sivarak Chutipong, a Thai engineer freed from Cambodian jail on Monday said he had sleepless nights throughout his detention in a Phnom Penh jail.
Speaking to a Thai television reporter in Phnom Penh, Sivarak said he wanted to meet Kamrob Palawatwichai, first Secretary of Thai embassy in Phnom Penh who asked him to check flight plans of fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Sivarak, sentenced to seven years in jail for stealing flight plans of Thaksin's November trip to Cambodia, was freed on Monday after receiving royal pardon from Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni.
"I could not sleep throughout my 32 nights in the jail. I was so worried that I may have to spend seven years in jail," he said in Phnom Penh.
He also said he wanted to ask Kamrob why Kamrob asked him about Thaksin's flight plans and why he wanted to know about them.
Kamrob was expelled from Cambodia a day before Sivarak was arrested for spying on Thaksin's flight plans in November.
Sivarak, an employee of Cambodian Air Traffic Control Services which control air traffic in Cambodia, told the Cambodian court that Kamrob asked him to check about Thaksin's flight. The court found him guilty of the charge as the flight information of Thaksin was considered confidential and could be a threat to the country's national security if it was released.
read more “Sleepless in Prey Sar? [No relation to "Sleepless in Seattle" -sic!-]”
Mon, December 14, 2009
The Nation
Sivarak Chutipong, a Thai engineer freed from Cambodian jail on Monday said he had sleepless nights throughout his detention in a Phnom Penh jail.
Speaking to a Thai television reporter in Phnom Penh, Sivarak said he wanted to meet Kamrob Palawatwichai, first Secretary of Thai embassy in Phnom Penh who asked him to check flight plans of fugitive ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Sivarak, sentenced to seven years in jail for stealing flight plans of Thaksin's November trip to Cambodia, was freed on Monday after receiving royal pardon from Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni.
"I could not sleep throughout my 32 nights in the jail. I was so worried that I may have to spend seven years in jail," he said in Phnom Penh.
He also said he wanted to ask Kamrob why Kamrob asked him about Thaksin's flight plans and why he wanted to know about them.
Kamrob was expelled from Cambodia a day before Sivarak was arrested for spying on Thaksin's flight plans in November.
Sivarak, an employee of Cambodian Air Traffic Control Services which control air traffic in Cambodia, told the Cambodian court that Kamrob asked him to check about Thaksin's flight. The court found him guilty of the charge as the flight information of Thaksin was considered confidential and could be a threat to the country's national security if it was released.
Fugitive former Thai PM visits Cambodia
Monday, December 14, 2009
ABC Radio Australia
The fugitive former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, has returned to Cambodia a month after a visit that sparked a diplomatic row between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
Thaksin is on a three-day visit to Cambodia, where has been appointed economic adviser to the national Government.
The billionaire former prime minister was ousted by the military in 2006 and later sentenced to jail in absentia on conflict of interest charges.
During his visit to Cambodia last month, Phnom Penh refused Bangkok's extradition request.
Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin has fuelled fears the position would give him a base over the border to unseat the Thai government..
Thaksin's was scheduled on Monday to attend a ceremony marking the release of a Thai man charged with spying.
Thai engineer Siwarak Chutipongse, an employee of Cambodian air traffic control, was accused of leaking Thaksin's November flight details to the Thai embassy.
Chutipongse was pardoned last week after a request to Cambodia's king from Thaksin and others.
read more “Fugitive former Thai PM visits Cambodia”
ABC Radio Australia
The fugitive former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, has returned to Cambodia a month after a visit that sparked a diplomatic row between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
Thaksin is on a three-day visit to Cambodia, where has been appointed economic adviser to the national Government.
The billionaire former prime minister was ousted by the military in 2006 and later sentenced to jail in absentia on conflict of interest charges.
During his visit to Cambodia last month, Phnom Penh refused Bangkok's extradition request.
Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin has fuelled fears the position would give him a base over the border to unseat the Thai government..
Thaksin's was scheduled on Monday to attend a ceremony marking the release of a Thai man charged with spying.
Thai engineer Siwarak Chutipongse, an employee of Cambodian air traffic control, was accused of leaking Thaksin's November flight details to the Thai embassy.
Chutipongse was pardoned last week after a request to Cambodia's king from Thaksin and others.
Thaksin's return expected to fuel row
14/12/2009
AFP and Bangkok Post
Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has landed in Cambodia, setting the stage for another diplomatic fracas.
Bangkok sought Thaksin's extradition from Cambodia last month when he visited Phnom Penh to take up a position as government economic adviser. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen rejected the extradition request.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said last night Bangkok would submit a new request for Thaksin's extradition, but Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said it would be "just a waste of time".
"Cambodia's position on the issue will not change," he said. "We will not extradite or arrest Thaksin."
Soon after his arrival yesterday, Thaksin went to Prey Sar prison to visit Sivarak Chuthipong, 31, the Thai engineer jailed last week for seven years on charges of spying. Sivarak is due to be released today after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted him a pardon.
Thaksin is expected to attend an official ceremony at Hun Sen's home following Sivarak's release. Also attending will be Puea Thai Party figures who left Bangkok for Cambodia yesterday to attend the ceremony.
read more “Thaksin's return expected to fuel row”
AFP and Bangkok Post
Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has landed in Cambodia, setting the stage for another diplomatic fracas.
Bangkok sought Thaksin's extradition from Cambodia last month when he visited Phnom Penh to take up a position as government economic adviser. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen rejected the extradition request.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said last night Bangkok would submit a new request for Thaksin's extradition, but Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said it would be "just a waste of time".
"Cambodia's position on the issue will not change," he said. "We will not extradite or arrest Thaksin."
Soon after his arrival yesterday, Thaksin went to Prey Sar prison to visit Sivarak Chuthipong, 31, the Thai engineer jailed last week for seven years on charges of spying. Sivarak is due to be released today after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted him a pardon.
Thaksin is expected to attend an official ceremony at Hun Sen's home following Sivarak's release. Also attending will be Puea Thai Party figures who left Bangkok for Cambodia yesterday to attend the ceremony.
Sivarak just a pawn in a political game
14/12/2009
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
Unless Thaksin distances himself from the Cambodian leader, which is unlikely, no one should expect relations between the two countries to really improve
The speedy release today of the Thai engineer convicted in Cambodia last week to seven years in prison on spying charges is not expected to result in a change in the troubled relations between Thailand and its eastern neighbour.
The diplomatic spat that culminated in Sivarak Chutipong's arrest actually has nothing to do with his case. The incident was beaten up simply to stoke the already troubled relations.
Sivarak's tribulations began on Nov 12, not long after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was appointed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as his personal and his government's economic adviser.
Many people are convinced Sivarak was a pawn in a political game and was made a scapegoat to discredit and embarrass the Abhisit Vejjajiva government. Thaksin is thought to be a co-director of this story along with his long-time friend Hun Sen.
It is no surprise to see this distasteful tale ending so quickly after Sivarak's mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, submitted a request for a royal pardon to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni the day after the Cambodian court ruled on Tuesday her son was guilty of spying by providing the Thai embassy with details of Thaksin's flight plans. It took only two days for the pardon to be granted.
It has been reported Thaksin contacted Hun Sen to ask him to show Sivarak leniency. The Cambodian prime minister respond favourably without any hesitation.
The Cambodian leader's recent public comments that he could not work with Thailand as long as Mr Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya were in power was a clear hint who he preferred to befriend and work with.
The Cambodian leader ignored the Asean principle of non-interference in another member country by condemning the Thai government as illegitimate because it was installed by the leaders of a coup in 2006 which toppled the Thaksin regime.
He also feigned to forget that the fugitive prime minister was found guilty by the Thai Supreme Court for abuse of power in connection with a land purchase scandal. Such ignorance by Hun Sen showed thorough disrespect of the Thai judicial system.
The motive for Hun Sen's actions could be linked to a secret offer if Thaksin ever returns to the Thai prime ministership.
Anti-Thaksin groups suspect Thaksin stood to gain in some way from the maritime border negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia which were suspended by the Abhisit government following the diplomatic spat between the two countries.
Had the negotiations ended in favour of Cambodia, Phnom Penh could potentially gain in some way from the undersea oil and gas reserves in the overlapping offshore area.
What would that mean for a leader like Hun Sen? Not only would he gain popularity at home, but also wealth from the negotiations.
If this theory holds true, it would be a waste of time for a third country like Indonesia, which has offered to act as a mediator, in trying to help the two states patch up their differences.
Unless Thaksin distances himself from the Cambodian leader, which is unlikely, no one should expect relations between the two countries to really improve.
read more “Sivarak just a pawn in a political game”
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
Unless Thaksin distances himself from the Cambodian leader, which is unlikely, no one should expect relations between the two countries to really improve
The speedy release today of the Thai engineer convicted in Cambodia last week to seven years in prison on spying charges is not expected to result in a change in the troubled relations between Thailand and its eastern neighbour.
The diplomatic spat that culminated in Sivarak Chutipong's arrest actually has nothing to do with his case. The incident was beaten up simply to stoke the already troubled relations.
Sivarak's tribulations began on Nov 12, not long after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was appointed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as his personal and his government's economic adviser.
Many people are convinced Sivarak was a pawn in a political game and was made a scapegoat to discredit and embarrass the Abhisit Vejjajiva government. Thaksin is thought to be a co-director of this story along with his long-time friend Hun Sen.
It is no surprise to see this distasteful tale ending so quickly after Sivarak's mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, submitted a request for a royal pardon to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni the day after the Cambodian court ruled on Tuesday her son was guilty of spying by providing the Thai embassy with details of Thaksin's flight plans. It took only two days for the pardon to be granted.
It has been reported Thaksin contacted Hun Sen to ask him to show Sivarak leniency. The Cambodian prime minister respond favourably without any hesitation.
The Cambodian leader's recent public comments that he could not work with Thailand as long as Mr Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya were in power was a clear hint who he preferred to befriend and work with.
The Cambodian leader ignored the Asean principle of non-interference in another member country by condemning the Thai government as illegitimate because it was installed by the leaders of a coup in 2006 which toppled the Thaksin regime.
He also feigned to forget that the fugitive prime minister was found guilty by the Thai Supreme Court for abuse of power in connection with a land purchase scandal. Such ignorance by Hun Sen showed thorough disrespect of the Thai judicial system.
The motive for Hun Sen's actions could be linked to a secret offer if Thaksin ever returns to the Thai prime ministership.
Anti-Thaksin groups suspect Thaksin stood to gain in some way from the maritime border negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia which were suspended by the Abhisit government following the diplomatic spat between the two countries.
Had the negotiations ended in favour of Cambodia, Phnom Penh could potentially gain in some way from the undersea oil and gas reserves in the overlapping offshore area.
What would that mean for a leader like Hun Sen? Not only would he gain popularity at home, but also wealth from the negotiations.
If this theory holds true, it would be a waste of time for a third country like Indonesia, which has offered to act as a mediator, in trying to help the two states patch up their differences.
Unless Thaksin distances himself from the Cambodian leader, which is unlikely, no one should expect relations between the two countries to really improve.
Thailand to issue residential permits to migrant children
Sunday, 13 December 2009
By Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Thai government is working on issuing official residential permits to children of migrant workers their country.
The children between 5 and 15 years of age of migrant workers hailing from Burma, Laos and Cambodia must apply for registration at municipal offices and mayoral offices not later than December 18. This registration process started in the third week of last month.
“The submission of registration forms will close on December 18. This process will be extended to December 28 for those whose applications are not yet completed,” Refugees and Migrant Workers Affairs Department under the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) In-charge Thet Khaing told Mizzima. He also said that he had heard that the issuance of residential permits would be started on the 2nd of next month.
The cabinet meeting held on November 3 decided to issue residential permits.
The children, who reached Thailand before July 2009 and those who were born in Thailand are entitled to apply for the residential permit. Moreover the parents of the children must have similar residential permits, and a guarantee given by their employers and stay together with their children in the same locality.
In the form, the date of birth, place of birth and address must be filled up and submitted along with the 2”x2” passport size photographs of the applicant. After submitting the form, they are issued residential permit (Form Thau Rau 38/1), Burmese migrant odd job worker Tin Oo from Bant Khu Thi Ran Township in Thailand said.
“They asked us to produce the registration certificate of the mother and the father. Then we had to fill up the personal details and bio-data of our children in the Form (Thau Thau 1). Those children who can read and write can fill up this form in Thai language otherwise we have to dictate the personal details of our children and they fill up this form on our behalf,” he said.
The fees at the time of submission of the form is Thai Baht 20 and another Baht 60 must be paid at the time the permit issued, it is learnt.
The officials from the Thai Education Department in Bangkok and Mae Sot invited principals from schools in Mae Sot for migrant children to their office in last August and discussed with them health care, education and official residential status for these children.
In the meeting, the Thai authorities agreed to issue residential permits with 13-digit registration numbers similar to that of Thai children, Mae Sot based Burma Migrant Workers Education Committee (BMWEC) Chairwoman Naw Phau Ray who attended the meeting told Mizzima.
“I think they should apply for this permit for the future of these migrant children and for their education,” she said.
Similarly another Mae Sot based organization ‘Yaung Chi Oo’ Migrant Workers Association General Secretary Moe Swe told Mizzima that the migrant workers in Thailand should apply for such residential permits for their children by taking into consideration the security and official status for their children.
Social workers working for Burmese migrant workers estimate the number of Burmese migrant workers working in Thailand at about 2 million and their children at about 200,000.
read more “Thailand to issue residential permits to migrant children”
By Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Thai government is working on issuing official residential permits to children of migrant workers their country.
The children between 5 and 15 years of age of migrant workers hailing from Burma, Laos and Cambodia must apply for registration at municipal offices and mayoral offices not later than December 18. This registration process started in the third week of last month.
“The submission of registration forms will close on December 18. This process will be extended to December 28 for those whose applications are not yet completed,” Refugees and Migrant Workers Affairs Department under the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) In-charge Thet Khaing told Mizzima. He also said that he had heard that the issuance of residential permits would be started on the 2nd of next month.
The cabinet meeting held on November 3 decided to issue residential permits.
The children, who reached Thailand before July 2009 and those who were born in Thailand are entitled to apply for the residential permit. Moreover the parents of the children must have similar residential permits, and a guarantee given by their employers and stay together with their children in the same locality.
In the form, the date of birth, place of birth and address must be filled up and submitted along with the 2”x2” passport size photographs of the applicant. After submitting the form, they are issued residential permit (Form Thau Rau 38/1), Burmese migrant odd job worker Tin Oo from Bant Khu Thi Ran Township in Thailand said.
“They asked us to produce the registration certificate of the mother and the father. Then we had to fill up the personal details and bio-data of our children in the Form (Thau Thau 1). Those children who can read and write can fill up this form in Thai language otherwise we have to dictate the personal details of our children and they fill up this form on our behalf,” he said.
The fees at the time of submission of the form is Thai Baht 20 and another Baht 60 must be paid at the time the permit issued, it is learnt.
The officials from the Thai Education Department in Bangkok and Mae Sot invited principals from schools in Mae Sot for migrant children to their office in last August and discussed with them health care, education and official residential status for these children.
In the meeting, the Thai authorities agreed to issue residential permits with 13-digit registration numbers similar to that of Thai children, Mae Sot based Burma Migrant Workers Education Committee (BMWEC) Chairwoman Naw Phau Ray who attended the meeting told Mizzima.
“I think they should apply for this permit for the future of these migrant children and for their education,” she said.
Similarly another Mae Sot based organization ‘Yaung Chi Oo’ Migrant Workers Association General Secretary Moe Swe told Mizzima that the migrant workers in Thailand should apply for such residential permits for their children by taking into consideration the security and official status for their children.
Social workers working for Burmese migrant workers estimate the number of Burmese migrant workers working in Thailand at about 2 million and their children at about 200,000.
Statement by Mr. Ros Visal
United Nations Human Rights Conferences in New York, December 11, 2009
Statement by Mr. Ros Visal, Sam Rainsy Party of Pennsylvania, USA
Statement by Mr. Ros Visal, Sam Rainsy Party of Pennsylvania, USA
The United Nations was established as a body for facilitating international cooperation in law, security, economic development, social progress, human rights and conflict resolution. I am here today to discuss the challenges that we in Cambodia face on each of these points. As a member of the opposition political party, the views that I will share here would be dangerous to speak of in much of my home country. But I believe it is important for the truth to be heard.
Cambodians appreciate the democratic government structure that has been put in place since the UN's engagement with our country twenty years ago. Unfortunately, the political party that has ruled the country for that entire time has done more harm than good to our nation. Today I would like to share with you the most pressing threats to the well-being of our citizens, and the serious failures of the Cambodian government to properly manage our struggles.
Let us begin with the concrete examples of forced evictions and the abuse of property rights. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, military police and civilian police officers armed with guns and lethal weapons, have been forcing tens of thousands of our citizens off of their farmland and from their urban homes. The government is engaged in a nation-wide scheme to install large agribusiness projects and commercial development. To accomplish this goal, they physically force thousands of families to leave their homes, their farms and their livelihoods. In their place, they plant the business ventures of foreign companies.
The entire process has felt like a nightmare that will never end. If a relocation site is offered, it often does not have schools or clean drinking water. Often sites are not offered, and small farmers are forced to live in make-shift tents along the side of roads. Livestock starve and die. Children become malnourished and listless. More than a quarter million of our citizens have been victims of government sponsored land grabbing. This is unconstitutional, of course, but the law is applied only to benefit the already wealthy and well connected. In a perversion of justice, the people typically sent to jail are not the thieves, but the farmers who attempt to defend access to the land they have been tilling for decades. Many of our citizens have been killed while trying to defend their plots of land from government take-over.
And what happens in our courts? Nothing. What is labeled "the justice system" in Cambodia has little to do with defending the rights of our citizens, and more to do with justifying the crimes of the powerful. Innocent people are falsely prosecuted for crimes, and high ranking government officials are above the law. Impunity is sadly the rule rather than the exception. The gravest of crimes - murder, torture, rape, the trafficking of women and children - go unpunished if the perpetrators have money or influential connections. Cambodia's justice system would be better called a justification system. Corruption is common in the police and behind the bench, and decisions regularly follow the instructions of the ruling political party.
Under such a sloppy legal regime, nothing could be easier than abusing human rights and getting away with it. As in many other semi-authoritarian states across the globe, Cambodian citizens, politicians and journalists who criticize the government face intimidation and violence. Labor leaders, community activists and journalists have been murdered, and their families sent into hiding. Many have no option but to leave the country.
In a legitimately democratic state, social problems would be debated, and the society would work together to determine solutions. In Cambodia, voices that question or criticize are silenced. The government consistently establishes rules and enacts policies to deny speech. Critics are thrown into jail, newspapers are forced to close their doors through intimidation, legal defenders of human rights are debarred, the legal rights of vocal Members of Parliament are stripped away, the size of demonstrations are restricted. At the core of a legitimate democracy lies a commitment to solving problems through mutual dialogue. At the core of the Cambodian government lies a commitment to push through what it wants while silencing any voices of dissent. While freedom of speech has never been particularly strong in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia, the situation has worsened in recent years. Many of us believe that the country faces the gravest threats we have seen to democratic development, and the future seems most likely to bring further deterioration, unless a different course is taken than what has become standard practice.
All of these points contribute to a larger conclusion, that the Kingdom of Cambodia, under its current leadership, is not a legitimate democracy, but rather a semi-authoritarian state. 1991 was a watershed year in our nation's history. It was then that the Paris Peace Agreement was signed, ending a decade of violence that followed the terrible years of the Khmer Rouge. In 1991, all the relevant parties agreed to work towards the advancement of the Cambodian nation and people, without discrimination or prejudice, and with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. All of the rival political groups in Cambodia signed this pledge, as did the Secretary General of the United Nations, the United States of America and 18 other nations. The Cambodian People's Party, the current ruling party, has failed to follow through on its promise to the world. It has neither respected the rule of law nor kept the public well-being as its central goal. Rather, the party views the Kingdom of Cambodia as a fiefdom in which its word is unquestionable, and they back this up with force against their own citizens.
I do not believe that my country has to look like this forever. This is why I am involved with an opposition political party. I believe that with a public-minded leadership and the support of the United Nations, Cambodia's future could be bright and promising. To this end, we request the United Nations to continue their focus on Cambodia, particularly to monitor human rights abuses and to ensure the safety of Cambodian human rights activists. We need to draft and implement a human rights law, and would appreciate your support in that effort. We also believe that the UN has a role to play in pressuring the Cambodian government to accept opposition groups as legitimate actors in building a stronger Cambodia. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today, and look forward to continued engagement with the UN on securing the rights of every Cambodian citizen.
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