A reflection of another Cambodian voice gets silenced
The cold blooded murder in broad daylight of Kem Ley on July
10, 2016, broke my heart and the hearts of many Cambodians from all walks of
life as well as those from the international community. I cannot help but to
reflect on the repeated failure of our most trusted institutions to protect our
own people.
Must life be short for those who dare to critique the
current regime? It seems Cambodia has become a country where people cannot talk
openly about equal justice, nepotism, corruption, deforestation, international
involvement in illegal logging, the loss of border territory and the
accumulated wealth of elected officials.
Cambodia does not adhere to the ideals of its constitution
when extreme power overrides the rule of law. With these assassinations and
lack of impartial investigations, the people have lost faith in their cherished
institutions.
While the country is in mourning over the loss of another
prominent political critic, repeatedly the political leaders in Cambodia have
failed to understand the depth of the people’s resentment towards a system
where well-connected individuals get richer and evade justice.
They have failed to see what people see – a country where
the less fortunate are going through an existential crisis. They have failed to
feel what people feel – the labour of finding food and the fear of holding onto
their lands.
They have failed to do what the majority of the people want
them to do, which is to serve the people by delivering justice and equal
opportunity for all Cambodians. Lastly they have failed to heed one of the
fundamental teachings of Buddha: “Hurt not others in ways that they themselves
would find hurtful” (Udana-Varga 5:18).
Even though top government officials condemn the savage
killing and reject the claim that this is another political act to silence the
opposition and spread fear, the national and international communities at large
have lost faith in the investigating authorities to find those responsible.
It has been revealed that Choub Salab (meaning Meet Kill),
the assassin, lived in desperate poverty, so it defies belief that he could
lend $3,000 to anyone. Furthermore, the fact that he never mentioned this loan
to his wife leads us to doubt its veracity as well.
Most Cambodians as well as the international communities
believe that Kem Ley’s assassination was politically motivated and the chain of
command of the killing should be fully and independently investigated in line
with international standards.
There is no real peace without real justice. Those in power
must stop using violence, intimidation and oppression to discipline the
populace to produce quiet obedience and stability. A relationship between the
state and its people that emanates from coercion, repression and domination
won’t produce enduring peace and nor long-term stability.
Today, Cambodia cries for justice and the right to free
speech. These appeals are made for the soul of Kem Ley and other brave, outspoken
heroes of the Kingdom, including union leader Chea Vichea (2004), and
environmental activist Mr Chut Vuthy (2012) – May you all rest in peace.
Note that this reflection was in The Phnom Penh Post on 18 July 2016
