Cambodia: a union leader condemned for his comments on the Vietnamese border

Cambodian opponent Rong Chhun, during a demonstration near the Prime Minister's offices in Phnom Penh, in July 2020. AP - Heng Sinith

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In Cambodia, a trade union leader, a notorious opponent of the Phnom Penh government, was sentenced on Wednesday August 18, 2021 to two years in prison for "inciting hatred".

This is the conclusion of a very political trial.

Rong Chhun had made controversial remarks concerning the demarcation of the border with Vietnam, a controversial subject.

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It was for accusing the government of irregularities in the ongoing redefinition of the border with neighboring Vietnamese Cambodia that Rong Chhun, head of the Cambodian Confederation of Trade Unions, was arrested.

He felt that the new route was unfavorable to his country, and particularly to some local farmers who had lost land.

In pre-trial detention since August 2020, he was finally sentenced to two years in prison for "inciting hatred".

The issue of territorial differences with Vietnam is historically very sensitive in Cambodia, and frequently used by the opposition to criticize Prime Minister Hun Sen for his proximity to the Hanoi regime.

Dissenting voices, muzzled by the government, have long stoked nationalist and anti-Vietnamese sentiment to criticize the ruling party.

Two other activists, arrested during demonstrations calling for the unionist's release, were sentenced to twenty months in prison.

The trio will have to pay the sum of 100,000 dollars to the official body in charge of the borders.

Since the 2018 elections, in which

all of the seats in Parliament

were conquered by Mr. Hun Sen's party, in power for 36 years, the regime has increased arrests against members of the opposition.

→ To reread: Rong Chhun, an important Cambodian trade union leader on trial

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