Visiting dignitaries, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are convening in Phnom Penh despite fierce opposition pushback regarding Prime Minister Hun Manet's human rights record. A coalition of 26 local organizations petitioned Western embassies to directly challenge the host government over civil society crackdowns and ongoing detentions. French officials confirmed they plan to address human rights and rule-of-law issues directly with Cambodian leaders during the event rather than boycotting it.
Key points
Opposition figures argue that holding the summit in Cambodia ignores pervasive state repr…: Opposition figures argue that holding the summit in Cambodia ignores pervasive state repression and criminal cyberfraud compounds.
Cambodian officials dismissed international and opposition criticism by stating they have…: Cambodian officials dismissed international and opposition criticism by stating they have no time for political polemics.
French representatives plan to raise governance and human rights concerns directly at the…: French representatives plan to raise governance and human rights concerns directly at the summit instead of boycotting the proceedings.
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Heads of state and senior ministers, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are meeting in Phnom Penh this weekend for a summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
BANGKOK: Exiled Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy denounced a gathering of leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, in Phnom Penh this weekend as a "sham", saying political persecution and organised crime in the Southeast Asian nation made it an inappropriate venue.
Heads of state and senior ministers are meeting in the Cambodian capital for a summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). The organisation promotes cooperation between French-speaking nations and lists peace, democracy and human rights among its core tenets.
"I think the summit is going to take place at the wrong place at the wrong time," Rainsy told Reuters on Friday (Nov 13) by phone from Paris. He lives in self-exile after fleeing Cambodia, where he has been convicted of multiple offences in absentia and his political party has been banned.
"Cambodia is in a very difficult situation in terms of democracy, the rule of law, human rights,…
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