The European Union has formally asked the government to release on bail two men detained for allegedly defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen over the supplemental border agreement with Vietnam, the British Embassy said Friday.
Britain, which holds the EU Presidency, said it notified the government of the EU’s concerns about the arrests of Beehive Radio owner Mam Sonando and Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association President Rong Chhun.
It also expressed concern over the arrest warrants issued for three other border critics: Free Trade Union President Chea Mony, Student Movement for Democracy Deputy Secretary-General Ear Channa and Cambodian Independent Civil Servants Association President Man Nath.
“The European Union urged the government to ensure a safe environment for all those who wish the exercise their freedom of expression,” the statement said. “The EU asked the government to release those in prison, on bail as soon as possible.”
The statement said the EU “recalled its concern about the lack of an effectively functioning judiciary” and “remained concerned about the case of [jailed opposition member] Cheam Channy.”
Speaking at the National Assembly, Cabinet Minister Sok An defended Cambodia’s tough stance against people accusing the government of selling Cambodian territory, comparing it to measures taken by the US after the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001.
“The [Cambodian] government had to take action…. Other governments took tougher action. America took major measures in the wake of September 11, such as creating the USA Patriot Act within one or two days,” he said. “This act allowed the administration to make arrests without taking the order from the court,” he said.
“Cambodia was surveyed the champion of free speech in the region, and it is ahead of Thailand, Singapore,” Sok An added. “Cambodia also has about 2,000 NGOs, which is paradise.”
The US Embassy does not view the Patriot Act and the moves against border critics as comparable in any way, embassy spokesman John Daigle said.
“Freedom of expression and public discourse are ideals that every democratic government should support,” he said.
“It would only strengthen the legitimacy of the border agreement if there was an allowance for open debate on it.”
In a Thursday statement, Reporters Without Borders condemned Mam Sonando’s detention.
Mam Sonando “was just doing his job as a journalist,” the organization said.
“It is increasingly clear that the authorities are ready to sacrifice press freedom in order to hold on to power and avoid all criticism.”
The organization said it has analyzed the Sept 20 interview about the border that led to Mam Sonando’s arrest.
“At no point did Mam Sonando directly attack Prime Minister Hun Sen. On the contrary, he defended him twice,” Reporters Without Borders said.
Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said he had not seen the statement, but added that Reporters Without Borders is inclined to think reporters are always right and the government is always wrong.
He added that if the government did not react to critics accusing Hun Sen of selling land to Vietnam, “it would be suicide.”
“With this you can topple the government,” he said. “This organization doesn’t understand Cambodian history.” (Additional reporting by William Shaw)
