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The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Guilty of inciting social unrest
A Court here yesterday convicted a prominent opposition politician of incitement and sentenced him to four years in prison, in the latest legal move to stifle criticism of the government of Prime Minister Hun Manet. Rong Chhun (pic), a top advisor to the newly formed Nation Power Party, was found guilty of inciting social unrest related to his political activity for meeting with villagers displaced by government construction projects, including the new Phnom Penh International Airport. In addition to the jail term, he was barred from running for office and from voting. The 56-year-old had denied the incitement charge, saying all he did was post photos of himself with the villagers and comments on Facebook. 'This is not a law enforcement issue,' Rong Chhun said after the verdict. 'It's about politics.' He remains free for a month with the opportunity to file an appeal during that time and said he would do so. Incitement allegations are frequently used by authorities in Cambodia against opponents, and Rong Chhun was already sentenced to two years in prison for incitement in 2021 on accusations he spread false information about Cambodia's border with Vietnam after meeting with farmers in the area. He was released later the same year by an appeals court. Cambodia's government has long been accused of using the judicial system to persecute critics and political opponents. The government insists it promotes the rule of law under an electoral democracy, but political parties seen as mounting strong challenges to the ruling Cambodian People's Party have been dissolved by the courts or had their leaders jailed or harassed. Under autocratic former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who held power for almost four decades, Cambodia was widely criticized for human rights abuses that included suppression of freedom of speech and association. He was succeeded in August 2023 by his American-educated son, Hun Manet, but there have been few signs of political liberalization. Late last year, the president of the Nation Power Party, Sun Chanthy, was himself convicted of inciting social disorder and sentenced to two years in prison. Sun Chanthy had been a top leader of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party, which had been expected to present a strong challenge to Hun Sen's ruling party in 2018 elections, but was dissolved by the high court as part of a sweeping crackdown on opposition. Sun Chanthy then joined the Candlelight Party, the successor to the Cambodia National Rescue Party, but it in turn was barred from competing in the 2023 general election on a technicality. He then helped form the Nation Power Party at the end of 2023, along with Rong Chhun and others. After his conviction yesterday, Rong Chhun said he was not surprised by the verdict and vowed to continue 'actively to protect the constitution.' 'We must hold to a path that is based on the truth,' he said. He urged members of the Nation Power Party to stay the course while he serves his sentence. 'Let's not lose heart,' he said. 'We must all be strong.' — AP
Euronews
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Cambodian court finds opposition MP guilty of incitement, bars him from political office
ADVERTISEMENT A court in Cambodia has convicted a prominent opposition politician of incitement and sentenced him to four years in prison, in the latest legal move to stifle criticism of the government of Prime Minister Hun Manet. Rong Chhun, a top advisor to the newly-formed Nation Power Party, was found guilty of inciting social unrest related to his political activity for meeting with villagers displaced by government construction projects, including the new Phnom Penh International Airport. In addition to the prison term, he was barred from running for office and from voting. The 56-year-old denied the incitement charge, saying all he did was post photos of himself with the villagers and comments on Facebook. "This is not a law enforcement issue," Rong told reporters after the verdict. "It's about politics." Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh, 24 November, 2024 AP Photo He remains free for a month with the opportunity to file an appeal, something he said he intended to do. The US Embassy, which has been critical of Cambodia's human rights record, had an observer at the hearing but did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Incitement allegations are frequently used by authorities in Cambodia against opponents. Rong was already sentenced to two years for incitement in 2021, on accusations he spread false information about Cambodia's border with Vietnam after meeting with farmers in the area. He was released later the same year by an appeals court. Related UNESCO criticised as Cambodia evicts thousands from popular tourist site The EU has to be aware the threat to Cambodia's democracy has reached its pinnacle Cambodia's government has long been accused of using the judicial system to persecute critics and political opponents. It insists it promotes the rule of law under an electoral democracy, but political parties seen as mounting strong challenges to the ruling Cambodian People's Party have been dissolved by the courts or had their leaders jailed or harassed. Under almost four decades of autocratic former Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia was widely criticised for human rights abuses that included suppression of freedom of speech and association. He was succeeded in August 2023 by his American-educated son, Hun Manet, but there have been few signs of political liberalisation. Late last year, the president of the Nation Power Party, Sun Chanthy, was himself convicted of inciting social disorder and sentenced to two years. ADVERTISEMENT Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet presides over the first council of minister's session in the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, 24 August, 2023 AP Photo Sun had been a top leader of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party, which had been expected to present a strong challenge to Hun Sen's ruling party in 2018 elections, but was dissolved by the high court as part of a sweeping crackdown on opposition. Sun then joined the Candlelight Party, the successor to the Cambodia National Rescue Party, but it in turn was barred from competing in the 2023 general elections on a technicality. He then helped form the Nation Power Party at the end of 2023, along with Rong Chhun and others. After his conviction on Monday, Rong said he was not surprised by the verdict and vowed to continue "actively to protect the constitution." ADVERTISEMENT He urged members of the Nation Power Party to stay the course while he serves his sentence. "Let's not lose heart," he said. "We must all be strong."
Free Malaysia Today
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Cambodian opposition figure jailed 4 years for incitement
Rong Chhun has been barred from voting and holding office. (EPA Images pic) PHNOM PENH : A Cambodian court sentenced an outspoken opposition politician to four years in jail for incitement today, he told reporters, barring him from voting and holding office. Nation Power Party adviser Rong Chhun said he was found guilty of incitement to cause serious social unrest – a charge Cambodian authorities frequently deploy against activists. The case was brought against him last year after he met victims of land disputes and commented on Prime Minister Hun Manet's visit to the border area with Vietnam. Outside Phnom Penh municipal court, Rong Chhun told reporters he would appeal against the 'politically motivated' verdict which he described as 'beyond unjust'. It was not clear if he would immediately be arrested. 'My message is that the rulers must stop using the legal system to suppress politicians,' he said. He said the case 'reflects our Cambodia has no full democracy and anybody with a dissenting voice who has popularity and support from the people is always suppressed and ousted from the political scene'. Rong Chhun was previously arrested in 2020 after accusing the Cambodian government of 'irregularities' in the demarcation of the country's eastern border with Vietnam. He was sentenced to two years in jail in August 2021 but was released three months later by an appeal court, with the remaining sentence suspended for three years. Rights groups have long accused Cambodia's government of using legal cases as a tactic to silence opposition voices and legitimate political dissent. Another opposition leader was fined US$1.5 million in July after remarking that Cambodia was 'getting worse in terms of democracy' under the leadership of Hun Manet. Hun Manet assumed power in 2023 after his father, Hun Sen, stepped down following nearly four decades of rule. Sun Chanthy, the founder of the Nation Power Party established in 2023, was also sentenced to two years in jail in December for inciting social disorder.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodian court convicts prominent politician of incitement in latest legal move to stifle opponents
Rong Chhun former vice president of the Candlelight Party. - Photo: Phnom Penh Post/ANN PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP): A Cambodian court on Monday convicted a prominent opposition politician of incitement and sentenced him to four years in prison, in the latest legal move to stifle criticism of the government of Prime Minister Hun Manet. Rong Chhun, a top advisor to the newly formed Nation Power Party, was found guilty of inciting social unrest related to his political activity for meeting with villagers displaced by government construction projects, including the new Phnom Penh International Airport. In addition to the prison term, he was barred from running for office and from voting. The 56-year-old had denied the incitement charge, saying all he did was post photos of himself with the villagers and comments on Facebook. "This is not a law enforcement issue,' Rong Chhun told reporters after the verdict. "It's about politics." He remains free for a month with the opportunity to file an appeal during that time and said he would do so. The US Embassy, which has been critical of Cambodia's human rights record, had an observer at the hearing but did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Incitement allegations are frequently used by authorities in Cambodia against opponents. Rong Chhun was already sentenced to two years for incitement in 2021, on accusations he spread false information about Cambodia's border with Vietnam after meeting with farmers in the area. He was released later the same year by an appeals court. Cambodia's government has long been accused of using the judicial system to persecute critics and political opponents. It insists it promotes the rule of law under an electoral democracy, but political parties seen as mounting strong challenges to the ruling Cambodian People's Party have been dissolved by the courts or had their leaders jailed or harassed. Under almost four decades of autocratic former Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia was widely criticized for human rights abuses that included suppression of freedom of speech and association. He was succeeded in August 2023 by his American-educated son, Hun Manet, but there have been few signs of political liberalization. Late last year, the president of the Nation Power Party, Sun Chanthy, was himself convicted of inciting social disorder and sentenced to two years. Sun Chanthy had been a top leader of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party, which had been expected to present a strong challenge to Hun Sen's ruling party in 2018 elections, but was dissolved by the high court as part of a sweeping crackdown on opposition. Sun Chanthy then joined the Candlelight Party, the successor to the Cambodia National Rescue Party, but it in turn was barred from competing in the 2023 general election on a technicality. He then helped form the Nation Power Party at the end of 2023, along with Rong Chhun and others. After his conviction Monday, Rong Chhun said he was not surprised by the verdict and vowed to continue "actively to protect the constitution.' "We must hold to a path that is based on the truth,' he said. He urged members of the Nation Power Party to stay the course while he serves his sentence. "Let's not lose heart,' he said. "We must all be strong.' -- Rising reported from Bangkok for AP
The Sun
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Cambodia opposition figure sentenced to 4 years for incitement
PHNOM PENH: A Cambodian court sentenced an outspoken opposition politician to four years in jail for incitement on Monday, he told reporters, barring him from voting and holding office. Nation Power Party adviser Rong Chhun said he was found guilty of incitement to cause serious social unrest -- a charge Cambodian authorities frequently deploy against activists. The case was brought against him last year after he met victims of land disputes and commented on Prime Minister Hun Manet's visit to the border area with Vietnam. Outside Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Rong Chhun told reporters he would appeal against the 'politically motivated' verdict which he described as 'beyond unjust'. It was not clear if he would immediately be arrested. 'My message is that the rulers must stop using the legal system to suppress politicians,' he said. He said the case 'reflects our Cambodia has no full democracy and anybody with a dissenting voice who has popularity and support from the people is always suppressed and ousted from the political scene'. Rong Chhun was previously arrested in 2020 after accusing the Cambodian government of 'irregularities' in the demarcation of the country's eastern border with Vietnam. He was sentenced to two years in jail in August 2021 but was released three months later by an appeal court, with the remaining sentence suspended for three years. Rights groups have long accused Cambodia's government of using legal cases as a tactic to silence opposition voices and legitimate political dissent. Another opposition leader was fined $1.5 million in July after remarking that Cambodia was 'getting worse in terms of democracy' under the leadership of Hun Manet. Hun Manet assumed power in 2023 after his father, Hun Sen, stepped down following nearly four decades of rule. Sun Chanthy, the founder of the Nation Power Party established in 2023, was also sentenced to two years in jail in December for inciting social disorder.
