Last week, thousands of Cambodians rallied peacefully in Phnom Penh in support of their desire to see a credible investigation into reported irregularities with the July 28 national elections. The Royal Government of Cambodia did a laudable job of facilitating a peaceful forum for these citizens to
The Cambodians who participated in last week’s rally clearly sense a shifting mood in their country in support of major reforms. They understand that Cambodia is maturing as a democratic nation, which requires citizens to have greater confidence in the electoral process. The United States strongly supports the right of people to protest peacefully, which provides citizens an important means to bring their concerns to the government’s attention. Such lawful activity is a critical aspect of the democratic process, but it requires space for people to feel free to engage on important issues without fear of threats, intimidation, or violence.
The recent rally at Freedom Park reminded me of the hope demonstrated at the March on Washington in 1963 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. On August 28 last week, more than 100,000 people gathered at those same steps to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, one of the largest political rallies for civil rights in U.S. history and a key driver in the adoption of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Other peaceful protest movements – including those demanding women’s right to vote, the end of the military draft, equal educational and employment opportunities, and rights for the disabled – positively changed the course of U.S. history.
When I reflect on the March on Washington and the other protest movements, I feel a lot of pride. The people who participated in these events believed in what was best about America. They came together to ask that the rest of the country to join them in their positive vision – of what America was and what it could be. They gathered in a peaceful manner to speak their minds about needed changes – changes that would allow America to
Similarly, in Cambodia we are witnessing the dynamism of citizens who have a profound understanding that they are the heart of the country’s democracy. They are seeking reforms that will lead to a better future for themselves, their families, and their nation. As the weeks have passed without a resolution to the national elections, it is unsurprising that these citizens gathered last week in Freedom Park to remind their elected leaders that they expect progress on promised reforms.
As we look ahead, I encourage all political parties in Cambodia and their supporters to
Once again, thank you all for reading my column. I look forward to receiving more of your questions and comments at AskAmbToddPP@state.gov. Also, I invite you to follow us on Facebook and to watch for new stories on my blog.
William E. Todd is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
2 comments:
Right on Ambassador Todd.
Mr Ambassador, your column should help lift up Cambodian patriotism and spirit.
I wish your column be translated into Khmer language and broadcast to all over Cambodia. so people in the rural area can hear it.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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