T he country is in danger of quickly losing hard-won freedoms, warns Julio A.
Jeldres.
On May 23, 1993 after more than a decade of repression and
intimidation, Cambodians put their trust in the secret ballot in an election
organized and supervised by international monitors. In so doing, the majority of
Cambodians, for the first time in many years, expressed their desire to live in
a democratic society and spoke up by themselves instead of being told what to
say by their rulers or being spoken for by foreign sponsors.
The
proclamation of the new Constitution and the re-establishment of the Monarchy on
Sept 24 1993 was the beginning of what many believed was a new era of peace and
democracy but there are signs that point to a significant lack of understanding
and different interpretations of what democracy and human rights are all
about.
One of the basic premises of the Paris Agreements of October 1991
was to ensure that the people "shall have the right to determine their own
political future through the free and fair election of a Constitutional
Assembly, which will draft and approve a new Cambodian Constitution, and
transform itself into a Legislative Assembly, which will create the new
Cambodian Government."
The accords also said: "All persons in Cambodia
and all Cambodian refugees and displaced persons shall enjoy the rights and
freedoms embodies in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other
relevant international human rights instruments."
Eight months after the
elections, it is disturbing to hear senior ministers of the party which won the
elections, FUNCINPEC [on a platform which promised "full respect for human
rights and a democratic future for Cambodia"], state that "Cambodia is not ready
for freedom of the press!" or that "there are too many demonstrations and we
need to get rid of them!". It is even more disturbing to learn that the Royal
Government placed a ban, a few weeks ago, on news of a demonstration supporting
its own Minister of Finance!
One can well understand that these ministers
are starting to be annoyed by the constant criticism the Royal Government is
receiving in the local press and that the amount of demonstrations appears to
have increased in recent weeks but they must also understand that these actions
are part of the process of building a democratic society.
In a recent
message to Cambodians from his sick-bed in Beijing, His Majesty the King said:
"Do not forget that possessing one of the most democratic constitutions in the
world, you are the masters of the fate of Kampuchea and the masters of your own
destiny at present and in future.
Your representatives, members of the
National Assembly and the members of the Royal Government of Cambodia have, in
the Throne Hall and in front of the Svetchhatr (Sacred umbrella) made a solemn,
long and detailed oath concerning the responsibilities they must accomplish, the
work they must undertake and the efforts they must deploy at the service of the
Motherland, the nation, religion and the people. Consequently, it suffices that
they act always in accordance with their oath for our people and our Nation to
be assured that their higher interest are served with faithfulness and
efficiency. But our citizens of both sexes who do not possess any legislative,
executive, judicial, military nor administrative powers must not forget that our
constitution recognizes all the freedom and rights which ensure to them a
permanent protection. Our citizens of both sexes can and must keep close
relations with their representative, who legislate, govern and rule. If they
have problems, our citizens have the power and the duty to get in touch with the
appropriate authorities in order to solve in fairness and in the best possible
way their difficulties."
This timely royal message which encourages and
underlines the importance of civic participation does not seem to have been read
or appreciated by some of the Ministers of the Royal Government which appear
rather eager to curtail the just-acquired rights of the people. It would be a
fundamental mistake if the voices of those within FUNCINPEC advocating the
curtailment of the freedom of the press were to be heard, as they would lead the
party to political oblivion.
What FUNCINPEC strategists need to
understand is that the party that came second in the election has since employed
its most trusted instruments - violence and deception to throttle the government
and derail the transition of democracy. The hard-liners' strategy is clearly to
retain power without overthrowing the new government. FUNCINPEC and the moderate
elements of the CPP will be successful in their monumental task of rebuilding
Cambodia and attracting foreign investors to the country, as well as
international assistance, only if they continue the protect and nurture the
newly-acquired rights of the people.
Freedom of the press is a right but
newspaper proprietors, editors and journalists should be fully aware that in
order to enjoy such a right they also have responsibilities. Unfortunately, we
often find that they seem unaware or unwilling to discharge their
responsibilities in order to enjoy the right to a free press. It is, therefore,
important that reporters strive for accuracy and fairness when criticizing the
government of the day and that proprietors do not intervene and push their own
barrows in their newspapers.
Above all, they must not forget that
democracy is the most widely-admired type of political system but also the most
difficult to maintain. Democracy has certain paradoxes or contradictions and the
tensions these cause are not easy to reconcile, thus every country that is on
the way to achieving democratization must find its own way to doing
so.
For Cambodians, who have known more than their share of wars,
revolutions and invasions, last year's peaceful vote for change was their finest
and most courageous hour. But did the elections of May 1993 automatically
convert the country to a democratic system and is it securely on the road to
democracy?
Contact PhnomPenh Post for full article
Post Media Co LtdThe Elements Condominium, Level 7
Hun Sen Boulevard
Phum Tuol Roka III
Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Khan Meanchey
12353 Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Telegram: 092 555 741
Email: [email protected]