Cambodia's future rests in hands of foreign donors
The pardoning by Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni of two leading opposition politicians is a welcome sign that the country could soon be heading along a democratic path again. In itself, though, the move is not an assurance that Prime Minister Hun Sen has changed his autocratic ways, even though he gave the orders.
There is nothing complicated about the circumstances surrounding the release from jail yesterday of the Sam Rainsy Party's Cheam Channy and the pardoning on Sunday of the group's leader, Sam Rainsy, who is in self-imposed exile in France to avoid imprisonment. Hun Sen has shown during his two decades of rule that he is a master political strategist. He has not given up any of that authority through his latest actions - only tried to appease his critics.
The prime minister and other senior officials next month face international aid donors, who provide more than half the funding to keep their government functioning. These donors - the United States, Japan and Australia among them - have been highly critical of attempts to silence opponents through what have been seen as trumped-up charges.
Cheam Channy had been serving a seven-year sentence after being found guilty last year of trying to overthrow the government, while Sam Rainsy had been given an 18-month term in December for defaming Hun Sen and the junior partner in his ruling coalition, Prince Norodom Ranariddh. About a dozen other government critics - human rights workers, trade union members and journalists - also face charges of defaming the prime minister.
There is no doubt where the loyalties of the country's courts lie - judges have unquestionably been at the beck and call of Hun Sen and continue to follow his orders. Corruption is rampant in the judicial system, with judges routinely taking bribes to give rulings in favour of whoever pays the most.
In such circumstances, the rule of law cannot be carried out freely or fairly. Fairness cannot be guaranteed for Hun Sen's opponents who have been arrested and charged and have still to face the courts. Nor does the deal struck with Sam Rainsy for pardons mean that a viable opposition voice will return to the Cambodian parliament.
Hun Sen has taken notice of foreign governments and realises that without their help, his country will fall into even deeper depths of poverty than it is already suffering. He has little choice other than to heed their warnings and do as he is instructed.
Whatever funding they pledge at the donors' meeting next month must therefore have strict terms attached. Restoring the rule of law, putting the nation back on the democratic path dictated by the constitution and again permitting human rights for Cambodians must be foremost among their demands.
