Singapore mistaken for Libya in Cambodian government video targeting ‘excessive’ civil rights

Singapore mistaken for Libya in Cambodian government video targeting ‘excessive’ civil rights

In a thinly veiled warning to protest groups, the Cambodian government has released a video cautioning against the misuse of civil rights which mistakenly depicts Singapore's skyline for that of Libya's. 

By Jack Board

Posted 30 May 2016 11:18 Updated 30 May 2016 

Singapore’s skyline mistakenly being used to depict Libya. (Screengrab: Press OCM on YouTube)

PHNOM PENH: Images of Singapore’s skyline have been mistakenly used to depict Libya in a Cambodian government video, which warns that a misuse of civil rights can lead a nation to ruin.

In a thinly veiled warning to stirring protest groups in the country, the video titled “Using The Rights In An Anarchic Way” uses examples of Syria and Libya as once beautiful, peaceful countries “destroyed by its own people".

It contrasts imagery of thriving metropolises, including one of downtown Singapore purported to be Libya, with images of bombed cities.

"This is the result of how the rights were misused. The excessive use of rights will bring about destruction," the video says. “As a result, all the rights were lost.”

The video then shows a speech by Defence Minister Tea Banh including references to the Khmer Rouge, the brutal regime that killed millions of people in the late 1970s.

“The issue of colour revolution comes in several forms," he said, in the undated address to army personnel. "We have to prevent the second return of the genocidal regime in Cambodia." The term "colour revolution" was first used to describe popular uprisings in former Soviet republics. 

The video was produced by the Cambodian Human Rights Committee and released on an official government YouTube channel. Cambodian authorities have been actively cracking down on dissent in recent months, particularly by opposition and rights group.

Four human rights work from local group ADHOC were arrested for their alleged involvement in bribery linked to a mistress of deputy opposition leader Kem Sokha. That prompted several anti-government protests under the "Black Monday" campaign, which has resulted in clashes with police.

The country’s Labour Minister warned on Sunday (May 29) that any protests against the future arrest of Sokha, who has a warrant out against him, will be "impossible” and those involved will feel the force of "state power”.

- CNA/rw