July 3, 2012
Below is a letter written
by Cambidian Ambassador for United Kingdom regarding an article written
by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights
Commission (AHRC). It is one of many articles that he has written in
recent year. We publish it with a note from AHRC.
A note from the AHRC
It is the right of every person to
express their views on matters that they believe to be important. The
AHRC publishes opinion editorials of numerous journalists, diplomats and
human rights defenders from countries across Asia so as to promote
free discussion. We are committed to encouraging the free exchange of
ideas and opinions in the belief that democracy and human rights will
survive only if there is freedom of expression, including freedom of
media organizations. The AHRC maintains that topics should be matters
of public interest, and views should be expressed in a polite manner.
The views expressed by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth in his article entitled,
‘Respect Ideals and Concepts, not Arbitrary Leaders',
is undoubtedly a matter of public interest. Numerous journalists,
diplomats and human rights defenders have expressed similar concerns
that the current situation in Cambodia is not reflective of the ideal
enshrined in Cambodia’s Constitution and the promise made to the
Cambodian people; that of a functional liberal democracy. This promise
was written after a long period of tragedy in Cambodia. However, it is
widely agreed that a functioning liberal democracy is still a distant
dream for the Cambodian people.
The lack of judicial independence and
threats to freedom of expression are two of the many problems in
Cambodia that have been identified by numerous authoritative political
and media sources. The AHRC is aware of these issues, and works to
promote respect for human rights and legal reform in Cambodia through
the publication and dissemination of statements and appeals. For
example, the recent episode relating 13 women who were arrested and
sentenced relating to demonstrations in Boeung Kak lake area. [link:
http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-112-2012].
The free expression of views by all
people is the primary way that a democracy can begin to confront and
resolve problems. We hope that more people will peacefully discuss the
issues that face their countries, so as to encourage a vigorous
democratic discourse on the issues in Cambodia, as well as the issues
facing other countries in the Asian region.
Ambassador’s letter:
Dear Sir/Madam
In response to the publication of your
article by Dr Gaffar Peang-Meth entitled: Cambodia: Respect ideals and
concepts, I have sent Dr Peang-Meth the following response.
In the interests of balance I should be
grateful if you will post this letter within the “Views &
Opinions” section of your website.
Yours faithfully
Hor Nambora
Letter to Dr Gaffar Peang-Meth:
Dear Dr Peang-Meth;
I am responding to your article, Cambodia: Respect ideals and concepts, published by the Asian Human Rights Commission.
I cannot imagine why a
normally-respected body such as the AHRC should have chosen to publish
your rambling, pretentious, largely irrelevant and clearly
politically-motivated article.
I also find it difficult to take
seriously someone like yourself who once had such strong associations
with Cambodia and yet has chosen not to engage himself in the country’s
democratic process but to snap rudely from the sidelines, from a
position of comfortable exile in the United States.
It is rather ironic that you should
choose to quote the words of the Lord Buddha saying: “Do not depend on
others. No-one saves us but ourselves. We ourselves must walk the path.”
This from somebody who deserted his countrymen long ago; first to
lecture at the University of Guam and now posing as a serious political
analyst producing attention-seeking articles for those misguided enough
to want to publish them.
The AHRC has also done itself no
credit; publishing your latest article and yet at the same time
cravenly protesting that it does not necessarily share your views. In
which case, one has to ask: why has it provided you with a high-profile
platform and the attendant publicity? The AHRC is not a magazine or
newspaper seeking to present its public with the widest possible
cross-section of views. It is a regional non-governmental organisation
with its own very narrow perspective and agenda – which your views
seem to admirably compliment.
One can only hope that you will stop
writing such virulent criticisms of the democratically-elected
government of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and that
organisations such as the Asian Human Rights Commission will stop
pandering to you.
Yours sincerely
Hor Nambora
