Creating Opportunities for All Cambodians through Change [The U.S ambassador calls for change in Cambodia?]

As the political and labor deadlock continues, I have noticed growing frustration in the comments that readers send me.  One reader named Vichet wrote to say, “I am afraid that Cambodia is falling further behind our neighbors.  There are not enough jobs that pay a good salary, and it is more and more difficult for me to take care of my family.  Cambodians want change, but we still see so much corruption and repression.”  

So, what does “change” mean to the average Cambodian?  I meet daily with government officials, politicians, business leaders, and civil society leaders, but I also enjoy discussions with my tuk-tuk driver, the lady who runs the kuy teav noodle stand around the corner from my house, and the young students who are part of my Youth Council.  From these conversations, it is clear to me that change to most Cambodians isn’t some intangible concept; what they want is for the government to address the specific problems that affect their daily lives and to expand opportunities for all the country’s citizens, not just an elite few.  Concerns about respect for personal freedoms and the rule of law and the need for a livable wage are themes that I consistently hear.

Unfortunately, we witnessed another setback this past week in Cambodia’s protection of basic human rights when security forces broke up several demonstrations in Phnom Penh.  The freedoms of expression and assembly are vital to a healthy democracy by providing an important avenue for citizens to discuss their grievances and suggestions for improvements.  Restricting the space for these fundamental rights is counterproductive to maintaining peace and stability.  I once again call upon the Royal Government to lift the ban on demonstrations and allow personal liberty to flourish without fear of persecution, retribution, or intimidation.

Cambodians from all walks of life are also feeling the pain caused by lack of economic opportunity.  I recently read a news article about the struggles of working-class Cambodians whose wages have stagnated.  For many of them, even slight price increases mean less food on the table for their families.  Corruption and nepotism contribute to an uneven playing field that poorer Cambodians and those without family connections are hard-pressed to overcome.

When ordinary Cambodians see little opportunity for advancement or feel those in power aren’t listening to – and acting on – their concerns, it should not be a surprise that they want change.  Supporting this idea is a recent poll released by the U.S.-funded International Republican Institute that indicated 43 percent of Cambodians felt their country was heading in the wrong direction – and this was before the recent deadly violence and restrictions on public assembly.  Without economic and socio-political reforms that benefits all Cambodians, we can expect the people’s confidence in the country’s future to deteriorate even further.  Therefore, expanding opportunities will be crucial for determining Cambodia’s future success, but it will require serious and timely efforts to combat corruption, ensure full protection of citizen’s rights and property, more investments in education, and the creation of more good-paying jobs.  

The political impasse has held back these much needed reforms, with each passing day a lost opportunity for the country.  Without reforms, Cambodia’s economic development is at risk.  If the recent setback in the protection of human rights becomes the new norm, it would mark a significant step backwards for Cambodia’s democracy.  Both of those scenarios could put Cambodia further behind its neighbors, making Vichet’s concern come true.  Peace, non-violence, and a return to dialogue between the two main political parties is the only viable option for getting Cambodia back on the democratic path.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced details of the government’s plans to pursue political reforms, including the creation of a new national working group and public fora in every province to hear citizen’s opinions.  This is a welcome first step, and I encourage the Royal Government to listen carefully to the concerns of Cambodia’s people, who are looking to their leaders to turn the country back in the right direction.        

In his State of the Union address this week, President Obama spoke of the importance of opportunity in a democracy.  Speaking about the United States, he said, “What I believe unites the people of this nation, regardless of race or region or party, young or old, rich or poor, is the simple, profound belief in opportunity for all – the notion that if you work hard and take responsibility, you can get ahead.”  I believe the Cambodian people are also united in this aspiration.  Opportunity for all is the change they seek and the change that is needed to move Cambodia forward.  

Thank you for reading my column this week.  Please continue to send me your thoughtful questions and comments, and I will do my best to respond and keep up our very constructive conversation.  You may write to me at AskAmbToddPP@state.gov in English or Khmer and leave comments on my blog at http://blogs.usembassy.gov/todd.

William E. Todd\is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia

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