The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has released an analysis paper entitled, "Consolidating Power in Cambodia: Corruption and Abuse Abounds", and the feature article, "Khmer Rouge Tribunal, After Over a Quarter Century" (to be published in its quarterly publication, Asian Human Rights Defender). The Bangkok-based NGO highlights the increasing risk to human rights as the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) strategically takes over the government.The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) releases an analysis paper entitled, “Consolidating Power in Cambodia: Corruption and Abuse Abounds”, and the feature article, “Khmer Rouge Tribunal, After Over a Quarter Century” (to be published in its quarterly publication, Asian Human Rights Defender).
The Bangkok-based NGO highlights the increasing risk to human rights as the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) strategically takes over the government. It warns that new $14 million World Bank funded project on financial management encourages the chance of corruption in Cambodia. Institutionalized corruption and impunity is even more clearly seen in the recent fraud which plagued the nine Bank funded projects.
FORUM-ASIA concludes that there have been no legitimate and effective actions by the Cambodian government and the international community to ensure human rights, democracy, and sustainable development for over a decade. This is their most important lesson to learn, the paper reminded. In addition, the feature article explains the disappointing reality where justice for the victims of Khmer Rouge would least likely be served.
With ongoing political take over “it is doubtful whether the upcoming commune and national elections in 2007 and 2008 will be fair and free,” the paper maintains.
The analysis also explains that, “It is no accident that the declining human rights situation has coincided with the further consolidation of the CPP’s power.”
The feature article points out, “There are fears that the government will, through the Cambodian judges and prosecutors, seek to influence who is and is not prosecuted.”
Finally, FORUM-ASIA calls on the international donor community to tie donor assistance to real political reforms. Otherwise, “by allowing the Hun Sen government to slip away from its human rights, democracy and rule of law commitments, the international community appears to be complicit.”
“Once again before elections, Cambodia’s human rights situation is alarming. Without any substantive political reform, Cambodia will not move forward, argues, Miwa Igawa, the papers’ author and Country Programme Coordinator. Without it, the country is going to step further back.”
For further information:
Miwa Igawa, Country Programme Coordinator
([email protected]) or (+66 2 391 8801)
