2013–14 Cambodian protests

Protesters and opposition supporters marching

Date

28 July 2013 – 22 July 2014^[1]
(11 months, 3 weeks and 3 days)

Location

Cambodia

Causes

Goals

Methods

Parties to the civil conflict

Cambodia National Rescue Party
Beehive Radio
Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation
Various other groups (incl. students, teachers, farmers, labor unions, and Buddhist monks)
Independent Monk Network for Social Justice
Cambodian Independent Teachers Association

Lead figures

Sam Rainsy
Kem Sokha
Mu Sochua
Mam Sonando
Rong Chhun
But Buntenh

Hun Sen
Sar Kheng
Pa Socheatvong
Keo Remy
Im Suosdey

Number

est. 100,000-500,000^[2]

Casualties

4 deaths^[3]
27 injured^[3]

8 injured^[4]

Anti-government protests (Khmer: បាតុកម្មប្រឆាំងរាជរដ្ឋាភិបាល) were ongoing in Cambodia from July 2013 to July 2014. Popular demonstrations in Phnom Penh have taken place against the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, triggered by widespread allegations of electoral fraud during the Cambodian general election of 2013.^[5] Demands to raise the minimum wage to $160 a month^[6] and resentment at Vietnamese influence in Cambodia have also contributed to the protests.^[7] The main opposition party refused to participate in parliament after the elections,^[8] and major demonstrations took place throughout December 2013.^[9] A government crackdown in January 2014 led to the deaths of 4 people and the clearing of the main protest camp.^[10]

Cambodian protests may have been partly precipitated by the perception of corruption, lack of freedom and poor quality of life in the country. Cambodia is near the bottom of international rankings in the measurement of those factors. Inequality in the distribution of wealth is a recognized problem as is a third of children are malnourished, and government critics are rounded up and detained on dubious charges.^[11]

Cambodia's strongman Hun Sen has affirmed his 'pre-eminence' by closing Freedom Park, an opposition protest site in central Phnom Penh that is now strictly off limits to the public and appears to be like a 'fortified military base'. Cambodians are 'riled by incessant land grabs, official corruption and labor disputes in a country tightly controlled by one man for nearly three decades.' Freedom Park, is closed now indefinitely. Protests have now "fizzled out after a crackdown on factory strikes in January that killed at least four people and alarmed major clothing brands with interests in Cambodia, like Adidas, Nike and Gap. "Since then, anti-government protests intended to draw hundreds of thousands of people have attracted just a few hundred. Freedom Park was shut down in April. "In general, people I've seen and talked to in villages, just want change of national leadership," said Kem Ley, an independent political analyst. "But what the CNRP has been doing is the same thing, again and again," Ley said, referring to the calls for protests. "People are just tired and afraid because of the government's shameless use of violence."^[12]

Background

Further information: Cambodian general election, 2013

There are so many irregularities [with the election] that were exposed even before voting day. We know that this was a foregone conclusion; that the ruling party organised the election in such a way as to secure victory even before voting day.^[13]

Sam Rainsy, leader of CNRP

On 28 July 2013 general elections were held in Cambodia, with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) claiming victory with 68 seats.^[14] The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the main opposition party with 55 seats, rejected the results and boycotted the opening of parliament, claiming there had been irregularities with the voting.^[15]^[16] The E.U. and U.S. also expressed concern about possible fraud,^[5] and the international non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch called for an 'independent commission' to investigate allegations of election fraud.^[17] The opposition party organised large protests in Phnom Penh during December, including motorbike rallies.^[18] The government called the protests illegal and stated that they were 'inciting anarchy'.^[18]

Protests and violence

On Friday 3 January, military police fired at protesting garment workers on Veng Sreng Street, Por Senchey District, in the outskirts on Phnom Penh, killing at least 4 people and injuring more than 20.^[19]^[20]^[21] The protesters blocked the road and had thrown bottles and rocks at the police in retaliation for violence towards other protesters and priests earlier during the day.^[22]^[23] The workers were on strike over the government's refusal to raise the minimum wage to $160 a month.^[24]

There was also violence towards Vietnamese Cambodians by protesters, leading to the destruction of a Vietnamese-owned coffee shop.^[7]

Just days before the crackdown took place, Prime Minister Hun Sen made a state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The opposition has accused the premier of seeking military aid from Vietnam. CNRP Vice President Kem Sokha said Hun Sen might use the trip to seek Vietnam's support to hold on to power, adding that the premier should discuss the country's problems with Cambodians instead of foreign leaders.^[25]

On Saturday 4 January, Cambodian authorities entered the main protest camp and used violence to disperse protesters. Further protests were also banned.^[10]^[23] Opposition leaders were summoned to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning for having allegedly incited striking workers to 'disrupt social order'.^[26]

In February 2014, the ban on demonstrations was lifted but Prime Minister Hun Sen warned that any future anti-government demonstrations by the opposition party would be met by rallies of his own supporters.^[27]

On 8 July 2014, protesters gathered in front of the Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh to protest against the disputed Khmer Krom territory loss to Vietnam in 1949 and calling for Vietnam to apologize. The embassy issued a statement on 9 July, calling for Cambodia to respect Vietnam's sovereignty and independence and refused to apologize.^[28] The protest was later dispersed by local authorities, leaving 10 injured.^[29]

On 15 July 2014, approximately 200 opposition protesters marched at Phnom Penh's Freedom Park when another violence erupted, only with the tables turned. This time, Daun Penh District security forces were beaten severely by protesters, resulting in at least 8 guards injured. The hospitalized security guards called for justice and condemned the opposition for the violence. Six opposition MPs-elect were arrested, including protest leader Mu Sochua.^[4]^[30] On 17 July, CNRP vice president Kem Sokha was summoned to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.^[31] On 19 July, opposition leader Sam Rainsy returned to Cambodia from his month-long trip to Europe due to the political crisis. He met with prime minister Hun Sen on 22 July, ^[32] where the CNRP agreed to enter parliament, ending the longest political crisis in Cambodian history.^[1]

Aftermath and agreement

The Cambodia National Rescue Party agreed to enter parliament after meeting with government officials at the Senate Palace on 22 July 2014.^[1] An agreement was signed between both sides to share leadership roles in the National Assembly. The seat of the First Vice President of the National Assembly will be held by a member from the CNRP, and the Second Vice President of the National Assembly will be held by a member from the CPP. The opposition will also chair 5 of the 10 commissions, including the newly established Anti-Corruption Commission.^[33] In addition, Sam Rainsy, who was barred from running in the election, was accepted as Member of Parliament.^[34] Opposition MPs were then sworn in at the Royal Palace on 5 August 2014.^[35]

International condemnation and criticism

The United Nations and U.S. State Department have condemned the violence.^[36]^[37]^[38] U.S. Congressman Ed Royce called for Prime Minister Hun Sen to step down, saying 'It's time for Hun Sen to end his three-decade grip on power and step down'.^[39] In front of the White House, more than 500 Cambodian Americans gather to stage protest, seeking aid from the United States government. They have also demanded the release of the 23 imprisoned on January 3 during the police crackdown.^[40] UN rights envoy to Cambodia Surya Subedi visited Cambodia and met with Prime Minister Hun Sen.^[41]

On 29 January, opposition leader Sam Rainsy went to Geneva where the UN Human Rights Council was reviewing Cambodia's rights record during the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of Cambodia.^[42]

The European Union, Australia, Germany, Poland, Japan, and Thailand have all expressed concerns and worries about human rights in Cambodia.^[43]^[44] Human Rights Watch called for UN to pressure the Cambodian government.^[45]

Gallery

Armed Cambodian riot police. The violence was the worst in Cambodia since crackdowns on protests after 1998 elections.
CNRP President Sam Rainsy and Vice President Kem Sokha wave to protesters during a demonstration in December 2013.
Beehive Radio journalist Mam Sonando leads a demonstration at the Ministry of Information, in January 2014.
Riot police block a protest by civil societies and NGOs in Phnom Penh.
A young protester screams for Prime Minister Hun Sen to step down on the final day of a three-day rally by the opposition.
CNRP President Sam Rainsy leads supporters to submit petitions to Western embassies calling for an independent investigation into alleged election irregularities.
An opposition protester marches, holding up a sign that says "Re-election".