Luke Hunt
15 Jul 2008
World Politics Review Exclusive
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- The United States has joined a chorus of international condemnation and offered FBI assistance after a prominent Cambodian journalist was shot dead just two weeks ahead of national elections.
Khim Sambo, 47, and his 21-year-old son Khat Sarinpheata were riding on a motorbike near Phnom Penh's Olympic Stadium when gunmen opened fire, ending a period of unusual calm amid the electioneering.
Campaigning had focused on the economy and a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand that involved possession of the Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia's remote northwest. The temple was recently listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Phnom Penh won the diplomatic battle with Bangkok, but it was the absence of campaign violence that was winning Cambodia some rare praise for its fledgling democracy until the July 11 slayings.
Human rights groups have been quick to claim the killing was politically motivated and designed to silence critics of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) ahead of the July 27 poll.
Khim Sambo had extensively covered election irregularities, illegal logging and fishing, and land grabbing for the local newspaper Moneaseka Khmer, which is affiliated with the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP).
The paper's editor, Dam Sith, was recently charged with libeling Cambodian foreign minister and senior CPP member Hor Namhong.
However, the violence has not been restricted to opposition parties.
Ngor Srun, a CPP secretary of state, survived an acid attack Sunday morning as preparations were being made for the cremation of Khim Sambo.
The U.S. embassy said it was saddened by the attacks.
"The FBI, through the U.S. embassy, stands ready to provide assistance, if requested by the Cambodian government, in investigating the case," it said in a short statement.
Paris-based Reporters without Borders also urged authorities to act quickly, warning that such murders would impact on the election if they went unpunished.
Cambodian elections, which were restored by a United Nations-sponsored poll in 1993, have often turned nasty in recent years as this country struggles with a notorious culture of impunity. Election monitors Comfrel said the increase in pre-election violence followed familiar patterns established in 1998 and 2003.
But determining whether killings are politically motivated -- and from whence the orders to carry out violence are issued -- has always proved tricky and investigations rarely result in a prosecution.
Officials also claim election campaigns have been used as an opportunity to settle old scores. Tempers fray, guns are common and the traumas associated with decades of war, which ruined this country, still persist.
"If this pattern continues, more violence will happen in election campaigning," Koul Panha, Comfrel executive director, said.
Human rights advocate Theary Seng agreed, saying the double killing would have a chilling impact on the election.
"It was politically designed to send a message of fear," she said.
Khim Sambo was the 12th journalist slain in 15 years.
The election is being contested by 11 political parties, but the CPP, enjoying the benefits of a buzzing economy and with Prime Minister Hun Sen at the helm, is expected to win and govern outright for the first time.
Previously, the constitution had demanded a party must win a two-thirds majority in parliament before being able to govern on its own. This often resulted in messy and uncomfortable coalitions.
However, a constitutional amendment has reduced the mandated number of parliamentary seats to 51 percent, making it easier for Hun Sen, Southeast Asia's longest serving leader, to extend his 23-year tenure.
This longevity, coupled with the violence meted out among rivals has won him comparisons with Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
"He's like Mugabe, he wants to stay in power forever," SRP chief Sam Rainsy recently quipped.
Luke Hunt is an Australian journalist based in Hong Kong, and a frequent World Politics Review contributor.
15 Jul 2008
World Politics Review Exclusive
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- The United States has joined a chorus of international condemnation and offered FBI assistance after a prominent Cambodian journalist was shot dead just two weeks ahead of national elections.
Khim Sambo, 47, and his 21-year-old son Khat Sarinpheata were riding on a motorbike near Phnom Penh's Olympic Stadium when gunmen opened fire, ending a period of unusual calm amid the electioneering.
Campaigning had focused on the economy and a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand that involved possession of the Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia's remote northwest. The temple was recently listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Phnom Penh won the diplomatic battle with Bangkok, but it was the absence of campaign violence that was winning Cambodia some rare praise for its fledgling democracy until the July 11 slayings.
Human rights groups have been quick to claim the killing was politically motivated and designed to silence critics of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) ahead of the July 27 poll.
Khim Sambo had extensively covered election irregularities, illegal logging and fishing, and land grabbing for the local newspaper Moneaseka Khmer, which is affiliated with the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP).
The paper's editor, Dam Sith, was recently charged with libeling Cambodian foreign minister and senior CPP member Hor Namhong.
However, the violence has not been restricted to opposition parties.
Ngor Srun, a CPP secretary of state, survived an acid attack Sunday morning as preparations were being made for the cremation of Khim Sambo.
The U.S. embassy said it was saddened by the attacks.
"The FBI, through the U.S. embassy, stands ready to provide assistance, if requested by the Cambodian government, in investigating the case," it said in a short statement.
Paris-based Reporters without Borders also urged authorities to act quickly, warning that such murders would impact on the election if they went unpunished.
Cambodian elections, which were restored by a United Nations-sponsored poll in 1993, have often turned nasty in recent years as this country struggles with a notorious culture of impunity. Election monitors Comfrel said the increase in pre-election violence followed familiar patterns established in 1998 and 2003.
But determining whether killings are politically motivated -- and from whence the orders to carry out violence are issued -- has always proved tricky and investigations rarely result in a prosecution.
Officials also claim election campaigns have been used as an opportunity to settle old scores. Tempers fray, guns are common and the traumas associated with decades of war, which ruined this country, still persist.
"If this pattern continues, more violence will happen in election campaigning," Koul Panha, Comfrel executive director, said.
Human rights advocate Theary Seng agreed, saying the double killing would have a chilling impact on the election.
"It was politically designed to send a message of fear," she said.
Khim Sambo was the 12th journalist slain in 15 years.
The election is being contested by 11 political parties, but the CPP, enjoying the benefits of a buzzing economy and with Prime Minister Hun Sen at the helm, is expected to win and govern outright for the first time.
Previously, the constitution had demanded a party must win a two-thirds majority in parliament before being able to govern on its own. This often resulted in messy and uncomfortable coalitions.
However, a constitutional amendment has reduced the mandated number of parliamentary seats to 51 percent, making it easier for Hun Sen, Southeast Asia's longest serving leader, to extend his 23-year tenure.
This longevity, coupled with the violence meted out among rivals has won him comparisons with Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
"He's like Mugabe, he wants to stay in power forever," SRP chief Sam Rainsy recently quipped.
Luke Hunt is an Australian journalist based in Hong Kong, and a frequent World Politics Review contributor.
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