2013–2014 Cambodian protests

Cambodian anti-government protests in 2013 and 2014 2013–2014 Cambodian protests CNRP protesters raise flags.jpg Protesters and opposition supporters marching 28 July 2013 – 22 July 2014 (2013 7 28 2014 7 22) Phnom Penh, Cambodia Electoral fraud, political corruption, illegal logging and human rights violations Democracy, electoral reform, snap election and returning of republicanism Demonstrations, civil disobedience and internet activism Cambodia Khmer Republic Opposition: Cambodia National Rescue Party Beehive Radio Flag of KKF.svg Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation Various other groups (incl. students, teachers, Muslims, farmers, labor unions, and Buddhist monks) Independent Monk Network for Social Justice Cambodian Independent Teachers Association Cambodia Government: Flag of the Cambodian People's Party.gif Cambodian People's Party National Election Committee Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia Emblem.jpg Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia Sam RainsyKem SokhaMu SochuaYim SovannMam SonandoRong ChhunBut Buntenh Hun SenSar Kheng Pa Socheatvong Keo Remy Im Suosdey est. 100,000-500,000Sokchea Meas CNRP's Sunday 'tsunami' https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cnrps-sunday-tsunami 6 January 2014 The Phnom Penh Post 4 deathsMilitary vows to protect government, election results http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=11&token=NTFmMzUzNWVjNjA https://web.archive.org/web/20140103232014/http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=11&token=NTFmMzUzNWVjNjA dead 3 January 2014 6 January 2014 The Cambodia Herald 6 January 2014 27 injured 8 injured 17 6 Anti-government protests (km បាតុកម្មប្រឆាំងរាជរដ្ឋាភិបាល) took place in Cambodia from July 2013 to July 2014. Popular demonstrations in Phnom Penh took place against the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, triggered by widespread allegations of electoral fraud during the 2013 general election.Cambodia rejects call for poll fraud inquiry https://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/07/201373083046618367.html Al Jazeera 6 January 2014 Demands to raise the minimum wage to $160 a monthFour Killed as Riot Police Fire on Demonstrators https://www.voacambodia.com/content/four-killed-as-riot-police-fire-on-demonstrators/1822935.html 6 January 2014 VOA Khmer and resentment at Vietnamese influence in Cambodia have also contributed to the protests.Reaksmey Hul Vietnamese Shop Near Protest Site Looted by Demonstrators http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/vietnamese-shop-near-protest-site-looted-by-demonstrators-50139/ 6 January 2014 The Cambodia Daily 6 January 2014 20 June 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190620155600/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/vietnamese-shop-near-protest-site-looted-by-demonstrators-50139/ dead The main opposition party refused to participate in parliament after the elections,Cambodia opposition boycott opening of parliament https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24177265 BBC News 23 September 2013 6 January 2014 and major demonstrations took place throughout December 2013.Dara Mech CNRP Holds Biggest Demonstration in Decades http://www.cambodiadaily.com/featured-stories/cnrp-holds-biggest-demonstration-in-decades-49558/ 6 January 2014 The Cambodia Daily 23 December 2013 6 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106214930/http://www.cambodiadaily.com/featured-stories/cnrp-holds-biggest-demonstration-in-decades-49558/ dead A government crackdown in January 2014 led to the deaths of 4 people and the clearing of the main protest camp. 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 the statistic that a third of children are malnourished, and the difficulty that government critics are rounded up and detained on dubious charges.The Editorial Board 2014-06-06 Opinion Cambodia's Subservient Judiciary en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/07/opinion/cambodias-subservient-judiciary.html 2023-02-17 0362-4331 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."https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-politics-idUSKBN0EM2K020140612 Cambodia's strongman affirms pre-eminence as opposition challenge falters Reuters 11 June 2014 9 July 2014 Garment workers Most of the protesters were women working in garment factories as they strongly believed the wages paid are unacceptable. The workers were demanding for higher wages and better working conditions such as basic health care, protection etc. There are approximately 700,000 workers in the garment sector with 90% of the workers are female.http://betterfactories.org/?page_id=25 The Garment Industry Better Factories Cambodia betterfactories.org 2016-11-06 The female are not only protesting from a workers' perspective, but also from the role of women as gender inequality is a huge issue in Cambodia. Cambodian women workers play a huge role in supporting the economy for Cambodia at 67.72% of the GDP is from exports of goods and services and 87% are manufactured goods.https://unctadstat.unctad.org/CountryProfile/GeneralProfile/en-GB/116/index.html UNCTADstat - General Profile: Cambodia UNCTAD UNCTADstat 2016-11-06 Background 2013 general election 2013 Cambodian general election 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.Marks Simon Ruling party reels after Cambodia vote https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/07/2013729111720661730.html Al Jazeera 6 January 2014 Sam Rainsy, leader of CNRP 25% left On 28 July 2013 general elections were held in Cambodia, with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) claiming victory with 68 seats.Cambodia opposition claims massive poll fraud https://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/07/201372931511970482.html Al Jazeera 6 January 2014 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.Fuller Thomas Cambodian Opposition Rejects Election Results https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/world/asia/cambodian-opposition-rejects-election-results.html?_r=0 6 January 2014 The New York Times 29 July 2013Thul Prak Chan Cambodian opposition boycotts parliament, Hun Sen remains PM https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-politics-idUSBRE98M02K20130923 Reuters 23 September 2013 6 January 2014 The E.U. and U.S. also expressed concern about possible fraud, and the international non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch called for an 'independent commission' to investigate allegations of election fraud.Cambodia: Ruling Party Orchestrated Vote Fraud https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/07/31/cambodia-ruling-party-orchestrated-vote-fraud Human Rights Watch 31 July 2013 6 January 2014 The opposition party organised large protests in Phnom Penh during December, including motorbike rallies.Cambodian Opposition Party Defies Authorities With More Protests https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/rally-12162013181645.html Radio Free Asia 6 January 2014 The government called the protests illegal and stated that they were 'inciting anarchy'. Historical and economic resentment The protest also had the aim against Vietnam, in part due to historical role of Vietnam in Cambodian affairs. Vietnamese influence began to spread to Cambodia at the 13th century, but it did not come directly until 19th century. However, Vietnam has begun to intervene to Cambodia since 17th century, notably with the overthrown of Cambodia's only Muslim ruler, Ramathipadi I.Kiernan 2008, p. 158. Continuing Vietnamese influence also met with strong Siamese response, but in 19th century, Vietnam finally consolidated influence in Cambodia and annexed entire of Mekong Delta.Khmer-Viet relations and the third Indochina conflict Thu-Hương Nguyễn-Võ McFarland 1992 1–2, 4–5, 9–15 Attempt by Vietnam to assimilate Khmers into the country often met with strong hostility, but Vietnamese influence continued to remain in Cambodia, even during the French colonization. Then, in 1949, French President Vincent Auriol confirmed Mekong Delta to be part of Vietnam, and this was the source for eventual tensions. In 20th century, both Vietnamese and Cambodian nationalists cooperated together to overthrow the French rule, however the Cambodian nationalists were distrustful of Vietnamese counterparts, thinking that it was an attempt by Vietnam to create the greater Indochina under Vietnamese influence.Cambodian-Vietnamese Relations Joseph R. Pouvatchy Asian Survey 26 4 April 1986 440–451 10.2307/2644157 2644157 This led to eventual hostility launched by Lon Nol and Pol Pot, with the latter being the most severe one due to his open hatred on Vietnam. Khmer Krom nationalists also sought to free Mekong Delta from Vietnamese influence, complicated with the ongoing Vietnam War. Following the defeat of South Vietnam at 1975, the communist movements in both two countries dominated political affairs, but the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese communists became increasingly hostile to each other, leading to the Cambodian–Vietnamese War in which Vietnam occupied Cambodia for ten years. For this reason, the fear against Vietnam is permanent in Cambodia. https://thediplomat.com/2018/12/vietnams-invasion-of-cambodia-revisited/ Vietnam's Invasion of Cambodia, Revisited – The Diplomat Similar to historical reason, economics is also another reason. Since the demise of Khmer Empire, Vietnam has been economically dominant. Even when both countries were equally destroyed by the end of Vietnam War, but Vietnamese reforms of 1986 quickly redeveloped the country. As for the result, the Vietnamese economy became increasingly globalized and expands, thus has reasserted its dominance in Cambodia, and Vietnamese economic domination often brought resentment to Cambodians, who always thought Vietnam to be the sin of Cambodian nation. Culturally, Vietnam also has a greater reputation and is increasingly more open, while Cambodia has fluctuated over the Khmer Empire's historical pride and economic inferiority, and the lack of cultural common between two countries, since Cambodia is an Indianized nation while Vietnam is part of the Sinosphere, further escalated the hostility.Theeravit Khien Thai-Kampuchean Relations: Problems and Prospects Asian Survey 1982 22 6 561–572 10.2307/2643687 2643687 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.https://www.voacambodia.com/content/workers-police-clash-leaving-3-dead-in-cambodia/1822721.html Workers, Police Clash, Leaving 3 Dead in Cambodia Voice of America January 3, 2014Sokha Cheang Crackdown turns deadly https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/crackdown-turns-deadly The Phnom Penh Post 6 January 2014Soenthrith Saing Five Killed During Protest Confirmed as Garment Workers http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/five-killed-during-protest-confirmed-as-garment-workers-50141/ 6 January 2014 The Cambodia Daily 6 January 2014 12 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190712140901/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/five-killed-during-protest-confirmed-as-garment-workers-50141/ dead 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.Cambodia garment workers killed in clashes with police https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25585054 BBC News 3 January 2014 6 January 2014Quinlan Daniel Democracy unraveling https://www.phnompenhpost.com/video/democracy-unraveling 6 January 2014 The Phnom Penh Post 4 January 2014 The workers were on strike over the government's refusal to raise the minimum wage to $160 a month.Kunthear Mom Exodus follows violent clash https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/exodus-follows-violent-clash The Phnom Penh Post 6 January 2014 There was also violence towards Vietnamese Cambodians by protesters, leading to the destruction of a Vietnamese-owned coffee shop. 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.https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/visit-12232013231824.html Cambodian PM to Visit Vietnam Amid Political Tensions at Home Radio Free Asia 23 December 2013 19 February 2014 On Saturday 4 January, Cambodian authorities entered the main protest camp and used violence to disperse protesters. Further protests were also banned.Cambodia Authorities Raid Protest Camp, Ban Further Demonstrations http://www.voacambodia.com/content/cambodia-authorities-raid-protest-camp-ban-further-demonstrations/1823392.html VOA Khmer 4 January 2014 6 January 2014 Opposition leaders were summoned to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning for having allegedly incited striking workers to 'disrupt social order'.White Stuart Leadership of CNRP digging in https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/leadership-cnrp-digging 6 January 2014 The Phnom Penh Post 6 January 2014 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.http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/cambodia-lifts-ban-on/1013470.html Cambodia lifts ban on demonstrations Channel NewsAsia 26 February 2014 27 February 2014 6 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140306223928/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/cambodia-lifts-ban-on/1013470.html dead 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.https://www.rfa.org/khmer/news/politics/vn-denies-apoligize-khmerkrom-07082014224017.html វៀតណាមបដិសេធមិនសុំទោសរឿងបំភ្លៃប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម Radio Free Asia Khmer 9 July 2014 9 July 2014 The protest was later dispersed by local authorities, leaving 10 injured.https://khmer.voanews.com/a/angry-student-protestors-clash-with-police/1953517.html បាតុកម្មសុំឱ្យស្ថានទូតវៀតណាមសុំទោស រងការបង្ក្រាប 9 July 2014 Voice of America Reaksmey, Heng 9 July 2014 Khmer 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.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/video/guards-beaten-senseless Guards beaten senseless The Phnom Penh Post 15 July 2014 17 July 2014https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/six-cnrp-members-jail Six CNRP members in jail The Phnom Penh Post 17 July 2014 17 July 2014 On 17 July, CNRP vice president Kem Sokha was summoned to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/sokha-summonsed-over-violence Sokha summonsed over violence The Phnom Penh Post 17 July 2014 17 July 2014 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,https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/talks-07202014220938.html Cambodian Parties Agree to Hold Talks to End 'Deepening' Political Crisis Radio Free Asia 20 July 2014 21 July 2014 where the CNRP agreed to enter parliament, ending the longest political crisis in Cambodian history.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/political-deadlock-broken Political deadlock broken The Phnom Penh Post 22 July 2014 22 July 2014 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. 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.https://www.voacambodia.com/content/cambodian-opposition-gets-parliamentary-commission-roles/2428418.html Cambodian Opposition Gets Parliamentary Commission Roles Voice of America Robert Carmichael 26 August 2014 4 October 2014 In addition, Sam Rainsy, who was barred from running in the election, was accepted as Member of Parliament.https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/parliament-07252014195620.html Cambodian Opposition Leader Accepted as MP Ahead of Parliament Sitting Radio Free Asia 25 July 2014 4 October 2014 Opposition MPs were then sworn in at the Royal Palace on 5 August 2014.https://phnompenhpost.com/national/leadership-elections-set Leadership elections set The Phnom Penh Post Kevin Ponniah 26 August 2014 4 October 2014 International reactions The United Nations and U.S. State Department have condemned the violence.Meyn Colin Government Blasted for Eviction of Freedom Park http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/government-blasted-for-eviction-of-freedom-park-50132/ 6 January 2014 The Cambodia Daily 6 January 2014 11 June 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190611035303/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/government-blasted-for-eviction-of-freedom-park-50132/ deadhttps://khmer.voanews.com/a/us-state-department-condemn-violence-on-protestors-in-cambodia/1823211.html US State Department Condemn Violence on Protestors in Cambodia Voice of America Kimseng, Men 4 January 2014Cambodia: UN expert urges restraint as police fire on striking garment workers https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46869&Cr=protest&Cr1=#.UspHjahfvuU UN News Centre 3 January 2014 6 January 2014 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'.https://www.voacambodia.com/content/us-house-foreign-affairs-chair-calls-for-hun-sen-to-step-down/1824339.html US House Foreign Affairs Chair Calls for Hun Sen To Step Down Voice of America Khemara, Sok 7 January 2014 30 January 2014 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.https://www.voacambodia.com/content/cambodian-americans-protest-outside-white-house/1834500.html Cambodian-Americans Protest Outside White House Voice of America 21 January 2014 30 January 2014 Kimseng, Men UN rights envoy to Cambodia Surya Subedi visited Cambodia and met with Prime Minister Hun Sen.https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/violence-01082014183929.html UN Rights Envoy to Visit Cambodia in Wake of Deadly Crackdown Radio Free Asia 8 January 2014 30 January 2014 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.http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/Highlights28January2014pm.aspx Universal Periodic Review - Cambodia United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 28 January 2014 8 February 2016 UNOHCHR The European Union, Australia, Germany, Poland, Japan, and Thailand have all expressed concerns and worries about human rights in Cambodia.https://khmer.voanews.com/a/international-community-wants-cambodia-to-improve-rights-record-khmer/1840505.html International Community Wants Cambodia to Improve Rights Record Voice of America Sothanarith, Kong 30 January 2014 Khmerhttps://khmer.voanews.com/a/international-community-criticize-human-rights-in-cambodia/1839664.html International Community Criticize Human Rights in Cambodia Voice of America 29 January 2014 Khmer Human Rights Watch called for UN to pressure the Cambodian government.https://khmer.voanews.com/a/human-rights-watch-condemns-weekend-cambodia-violence-khmer/1838850.html Human Rights Watch Condemns Weekend Cambodia Violence Voioce of America Sothanarith, Kong 28 January 2014 Khmer Gallery See also 2003 Phnom Penh riots 2014 anti-Vietnamese protests in Cambodia List of protests in the 21st century 2020–2021 Thai protests References 32em Category:2013 in Cambodia Category:2013 protests Category:2014 in Cambodia Category:2014 protests Category:Anti-Vietnamese sentiment Category:Cambodian democracy movements Category:Human rights abuses in Cambodia Category:Political movements in Cambodia Category:Political repression in Cambodia Category:Protests against results of elections Category:Protests in Cambodia Category:Democracy movements Category:21st century in Phnom Penh Category:Political history of Cambodia Category:Labor disputes in Cambodia