Social observers say a political culture that hides behind the language of democracy is not strengthening democratic practice, but instead is actively eroding it in Cambodia.
Sek Socheat, a development and research adviser, wrote on social media that leaders who rely on populist democratic rhetoric are exposing their inability to lead within a genuine democratic culture. He argued that politicians who claim democracy as a core value while failing to practise internal party democracy lack the capacity to govern a country as a true democracy.
According to Sek Socheat, building real democracy in society must begin inside political parties themselves. He said politicians who deceive voters in pursuit of power are, in effect, corrupt actors operating under a democratic image.
These comments come as Cambodia remains without what critics describe as genuine democracy, despite more than four decades under the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party.
Article 1 of Cambodia’s constitution states that the country is a constitutional monarchy that adheres to a liberal, multi-party democratic system.
In the past, the ruling party leader Hun Sen has urged the Interior Ministry to safeguard peace, promote liberal multi-party democracy, protect citizens’ rights and freedoms, and strengthen the rule of law in line with the constitution.
More recently, Prime Minister Hun Manet said the Cambodian People’s Party aims to promote what he described as centrist democratic values, working alongside countries and political parties that support multilateralism and diversity in political governance.
Despite these statements, democracy in Cambodia, since the Paris Peace Agreements more than 30 years ago, is widely seen by observers as remaining fragile and in steady decline. This assessment applies both to government practice and to internal operations within political parties, even as party leaders continue to claim they are advancing democracy.
Monitoring groups say that under Hun Sen’s leadership, Cambodia has been marked by intimidation that has left many citizens living in fear. They accuse the one-party government of repeatedly violating the constitution, breaching international agreements, undermining democratic principles, and committing ongoing human rights abuses.
Political analyst Lao Mong Hai has said that although Cambodian politicians may hold differing views, they should share a single objective: serving the national interest and the people. To maintain that goal, he argued, politicians across the spectrum cannot depart from democratic principles.
In a related development, the rights group LICADHO reported that over the past two years, more than 100 people have been arrested and more than 60 imprisoned for expressing opinions on social issues. Those targeted include social activists, land rights advocates, human rights defenders, political activists, and politicians, a trend observers say has contributed to a serious decline in democracy in Cambodia.
