Phnom Penh exploits tensions with Bangkok to strip “traitors” of citizenship
A bill has been tabled in parliament and will be debated on 11 July. Its approval is a foregone conclusion in a context where all dissent has been silenced. Prime Minister Hun Manet cites “134 countries around the world that have similar laws”. Concern for people detained for crimes of opinion and opposition party leaders living in exile.
Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Stripping Cambodian citizenship from those who serve “foreign interests”. The political-military clash that has been raging for several weeks now with neighbouring Thailand is becoming a golden opportunity for Hun Sen and his son Hu Manet, who has been prime minister for almost two years, to take further measures to wipe out any remaining dissent in Phnom Penh.
In the wake of the emotions aroused by tensions with Bangkok, the Cambodian political leadership has brought a new bill before parliament that provides for the revocation of citizenship for those who act against the national interest.
The measure, which has already won the support of virtually all members of parliament in a country where the real opposition forces have been outlawed, is expected to be approved in record time on 11 July.
The affair is raising concerns about possible human rights violations and political abuses. Hun Manet responded by arguing that the amendment only targets individuals who act against the interests of the country.
‘Those who have nothing to hide should not worry,’ he said. "But if you ally yourself with foreign countries to go against the interests of your nation, then you should be afraid. Because such a person should not be called Khmer. Even in the United Kingdom and the United States,‘ the prime minister added, ’if you act against the national interest, your citizenship is revoked. As many as 134 countries around the world revoke citizenship acquired by birth in cases of treason."
In Cambodia, there are currently more than 60 political activists in prison and others in exile, convicted of crimes ranging from incitement to treason.
Among them are eight political activists who were denied bail on 4 July and are accused of incitement for posting Facebook posts related to relations with Vietnam. Koet Saray, president of a student movement, was also denied release on 3 July.
Among the most prominent cases is that of Theary Seng, a Christian activist and editor of the Khmer Bible with dual Cambodian-US citizenship, who remains in prison: if the law is passed, she will likely be expelled from the country.
Opposition politicians such as Sam Rainsy and Mu Sochua, both with dual citizenship and in exile after convictions for treason, could also be stripped of their citizenship. Kem Sokha, another opposition leader currently sentenced to 27 years for treason, and environmentalists from the Mother Nature movement, who have been in prison for a year now for “conspiracy” against the government, have much more limited options as they only have Cambodian citizenship.
‘They and many others, if deprived of their nationality, will become stateless and forever without documents, without identity,’ said a Khmer lawyer interviewed by the agency UcaNews.
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11/10/2023 18:43
24/07/2023 19:18
