Politics

An outspoken union leader went on trial in Cambodia on Friday for alleged incitement, the latest in a series of court cases activists say are aimed at cracking down on opposition voices.

The trial of a Cambodian labor union leader charged with inciting social unrest opened in Phnom Penh on Friday, part of a large-scale legal offensive by the government against its critics.

Ten opposition activists, including a Cambodian-American lawyer, are facing treason and other charges in a trial in Cambodia’s capital widely criticized by rights advocates.

A court in Cambodia convened on Thursday (Jan 14) for the treason trial of scores of opposition figures, one of a series of cases seen by activists as moves by the ruling party to sideline threats to its political monopoly.

Some senior opposition members have vowed to return from exile to attend.

Critics claim the prime minister has exploited the pandemic to crack down on opponents.

An activist said she was being persecuted for her political opinions as Cambodia tries dozens of opposition members. Human rights groups raised concerns over the fairness of such a trial.

Khmer Bible editor Theary Seng says she and others are being persecuted for their adherence to democracy.

The charges are linked to former CNRP president Sam Rainsy’s unsuccessful attempt to return to the country in 2019.

It is unclear if Cambodia’s apparent criticism of Chinese coronavirus vaccines is meant to refute the country’s reputation as China’s proxy. If that is the case, then Cambodia needs to do far more to introduce balance to its foreign policy.

After living in exile for more than three years, Mu Sochua is making a daring bid to return to her homeland, Cambodia.

The Cambodian government says it will not grant travel documents to exiles hoping to return to stand trial.

It might behoove opposition figure Sam Rainsy to be thankful Cambodia's monarch doesn't interfere in politics.

The United States 2021 budget outlines around US$85 million in new funding for Cambodia.

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s onslaught against the Cambodian opposition has not ceased.

Cambodia is in a strategically challenging position. It has close relations with two rival countries – Vietnam and China.

Entering 2020, analysts widely agreed that the stabilisation of Cambodia’s one-party rule was high on the list of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s priorities.

Phnom Penh is looking to use the fermented fish paste – a staple of Khmer cuisine – as a way to boost soft power.

Sam Rainsy, former president of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was sentenced on December 30 to four years in jail after being found guilty of insulting Interior Minister Sar Kheng over a claim that the Cambodian government killed former national police chief Hok Lungdy in 2008.

A former Victorian MP has been charged with incitement in Cambodia and could face jail time if he returns to his country of birth, as part of mass trials in what the former politician says is a "kangaroo court".