As Cambodia opposition mass trial begins, leader plots return

Mu Sochua, Vice President of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), has revealed her determination to return to her country this week to face charges against her related to “plotting” and “incitement to commit felony”.

In a press conference held to coincide with the mass trial of more than 100 members and supporters of the CNRP in Phnom Penh, Mu Sochua said she plans to travel to Cambodia from exile “as is my constitutional right”.

“I am not afraid of jail. I want peace and reconciliation. I want prosperity for my people,” she said.

The mass trial in the Cambodian capital is related to the planned return to Cambodia in 2019 by CNRP vice president Sam Rainsy, which was thwarted by authorities, who issued arrest warrants to neighbouring countries, deployed troops at the Cambodian-Thai border, and threatened to use armed forces to suppress the opposition.

Following significant gains by the CNRP in commune-level elections in 2017, Prime Minister Hun Sen initiated a large-scale crackdown on the party and its supporters, culminating in its dissolution in November 2017 for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government. In fear of arrest, many of its leaders, including Mu Sochua, fled into exile.

A year later, Cambodia held highly flawed elections in which the CNRP was not allowed to compete. As a result, Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) currently holds all 125 seats in parliament.

Mu Sochua was joined at Thursday’s press conference by Kasit Piromya, a Board Member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and former Thai Foreign Minister, and Kiat Sittheeamorn, Vice President of Liberal International and a Thai MP.

Piromya urged the international community, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to play their part in improving the deteriorating human rights situation in Cambodia under Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled for the last 30 years.

Piromya also called on groups to work closely with civil society organisations to influence ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific community to contribute to a positive change of course in Cambodia.

Sittheeamorn called on Cambodian authorities to ensure that those facing the charges in the country receive a fair trial and legal representation.

“As Cambodia is defined as a liberal democracy its citizens are equal in front of the law and innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “The return of Mu Sochua is an opportune time for national reconciliation, peace, security and prosperity,” he said.

Mu Sochua’s Cambodian passport was cancelled last year, and she will attempt to travel to Cambodia on her US passport. She is yet to receive a visa, however, but said she is determined to travel nonetheless, planning to arrive in the country on Sunday afternoon local time.

“We have a team of lawyers, and we want to be allowed to face the charges and be cleared. Put me in jail, but let there be a national dialogue for development in Cambodia,” she said, adding that the election of President Joe Biden in the United States was a positive step for human rights and democracy globally.

“I will not give up. I am hopeful, and watching what is happening in the US makes me even more determined to work for democracy and freedom of my people in Cambodia.”