Monday, 17 March 2008

Cambodia’s Root of Abuse

By Kok Sap
March 16, 2008
http://neokhmer.wordpress.com
http://khmerology.Blogspot.com

To some may be surprised to learn in rural areas where most inhabitants are abused and infringed upon can’t even afford a radio. This is how isolated for most of poor and real land owners in receiving news and information. Folks had no way of knowing the fact and how the world sees Cambodia leadership. To raise another pecking order in abuses, most poor lived on their land for so many years but had no means to bribe their way to get legal land title due to “tek ea” culture in Cambodia bureaucracy. This culture is well and looming over Hun Sen false power.

Worst, some had lived and bore so many generational off springs, yet never knew what‘s the legal marriage license look like. Millions were born without legal census document not to say in the hospital comfort. This piece of document is a very fundamental right that many come to know as the birth certificate. A lot of children must have proof of birth certificate and domicile in order to attend high school. For some parents, this is the dilemma which they can’t afford thus the child opted to stay and work the parents land that possessed no legal title. In this example Hun Sen, himself, can attest to it.

Traditionally in Cambodia farming, high percentage of folks used animals aiding their works. A lot of times, many had raised and owned including some inherent working animals. However most can’t afford certificate of ownership. The practice has been carrying on for years but yet the government cared, it shall provide proper legality and protection to the citizens.

In a nut shell, the poor suffer human rights abuses for ages. They were left to be unprotected, underserviced, and undefended in a so called constitutional equality equation since their birth. Imagine, you were born to parents of no legal marriage license living on land of no title and had no legal census record for schooling requirements then owned animals of no legal ownership certificate. The poor is in a lose-lose setting from the start. Yet the government boasted Cambodia economy is bursting with a whopping GNI $1.00 a day bracket?

This is a monumental abuse that Cambodia needed to be corrected. No surprise for those who are familiar with rural life then and now. During the 50’s, 60’s, majority of high school students were immigrant children of Chin, Yuon, Siam ,Lao, whose parents paid and bought birth certificate from poor Khmers who posed as parents in providing last names and domicile in order for the immigrant children to be qualified for and received public education from government. Not a surprise so many high officials under Hun Sen government are kin to immigrants who arbitrarily close offices to honor their Chin-Yuon New Year celebration. This is a living testimonial as we can see all the way from Ministries to Parliament occupied by the majority of 50’s,60’s immigrant children. Cambodia government is facing identity problem.

To prove the point, look at Keat Chhon, Hoa Nam Vang (Hong), Soc Anh, Chan Sarun, Lu Lay Sreng, Cham Prasith, Khieu big mouth, Hoc Lon Di and nemesis Heng Pov, Ing Kanthaphavy, Kim Tran, Chia Leang, Cheam Yiep and some other PhDs face. They are the living generation of buying Khmer birth certificates and privilege to attain educational endeavor at the poor expenses. Since their origins are borne in opportunism and exploitation heritage, why do they care to do otherwise for the poor? So few Khmers like Hun Sen, Chea Sim , Sar Kheng, Heng Samrin and Ke Kim Yan are serving them well and honorably.

Hun Sen insolent behavior and egregious intent to bar Professor Yash Ghai from entering Cambodia to perform his UN duty is the embarrassment for all. Also it proves the abuses are beyond words and there was nothing Hun Sen could do. Let this be reminded Cambodia belongs to people. Also that it is Cambodia as a country, is a recognized member of UN. So Hun Sen should note, UN has not done with all the killers who still roam and live happily under his protection. He shall be also reminded he is not that indispensible. Soon he sees his turn in near horizon.

For the records, Hun Sen could have made a true statesman out of himself if he lets no emotion influenced by hatred and foreign domineering. He has forgotten Bo Doi Hoa Nam Hoang was once an abusive character too. All his tenure, Hoa Nam Vang has done no better for all Khmer justice and integrity. This is one of the weaknesses that our wise men used to say powerful Khmer is good for one thing and only is to abuse own kind. It clearly echoes, gau dombao khnorng kha:aek hoeur roum loang roum sai kontouy. The indecent provocations to UN envoy, is not beneficial to Cambodia self respect. So any National Assembly member raised a finger on its government critical act yet?

Due to 1991 Paris Peace Accord, UN needs to monitor human rights practice in Cambodia. It is an agreement witnessed by other impartial signatories beside Hanoi, Nom Penh and Beijing. From moral conscience, we shall never allow this breach and need to put a stop to this.

In truth, Yash Ghai may have been born in Kenya of Indian heritage but his duty is to speak for the abused in Cambodia. That means huge percentage of the total population. With a prolific resume and an academic integrity, he volunteers to see his fellow world citizen human rights must be regarded. Presently, he is the only voice that the world would listen to for the poor in Cambodia.

Obviously, all can agree the more Yash Ghai raises concern the more Hanoi gets paranoid in its own crimes against tribal and ethnic folks in central and Mekong Delta region. That also may raise some concerns over land encroachment done by Viet Nam as well. It appears the US Domino effect postulate and long overdue concern over Cambodia being had not left this old Indo China, just yet.

So let’s exercise our earned rights to urge the Capitol Hill and White House to stop Nom Penh’s Hoa Nam Vang (Hoang) foolish action. Without outside facilitation, the poor still can’t speak and continue to suffer more abuses from the powerful. Recently Cambodia had just signed ASEAN brand new charter on human rights too, so please do write to ASEAN Chairperson via Singapore Embassy in DC and ask him to stop Hun Sen and Hanoi from violating international agreement.

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