Cambodia jails opposition politician for incitement amid silencing of critics

In Cambodia, a court in Phnom Penh sentenced Sun Chanthy, president of the Nation Power Party, to two years in prison for inciting social disorder on December 26, 2024. The conviction was made during a brief hearing where Chanthy was absent; he is currently held in a provincial prison about 600 kilometers from the court and did not attend due to illness caused by travel. This verdict follows Chanthy's arrest in May when he returned from a trip to Japan where he had criticized the government led by Prime Minister Hun Manet. Claiming his criticisms on social welfare distribution were misleading, the government has been accused of utilizing the legal system to suppress opposition and dissenting voices in the country. Under the authority of Hun Manet, who succeeded his father, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Cambodian government continues to face accusations of human rights violations, particularly concerning freedom of speech. The government maintains that they uphold laws within an electoral democracy; however, many opposition parties have been dissolved, and their leaders have faced imprisonment or persecution. Chanthy, previously part of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, faced charges for comments made about the alleged unfairness of government-issued social welfare cards. The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has been in power for over four decades, and recent actions against Chanthy are considered part of a broader campaign to silence critics, as evidenced by the imprisonment of scores of activists, journalists, and politicians. The trend of political repression has sparked significant outrage from human rights organizations and local activists, who report a growing fear of expressing dissent in Cambodia. This recent conviction highlights the ongoing struggle for political freedom in Cambodia and raises concerns about the trajectory of democracy under Hun Manet’s leadership. Chanthy's case exemplifies the judicial system being leveraged as a tool against political opponents, raising pressing questions about the rule of law and the future of political plurality in Cambodia.