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Fears as Cambodia grants PM vast powers under Covid-19 pretext
Source: The Guardian
Fears as Cambodia grants PM vast powers under Covid-19 pretext
Law that extends Hun Sen’s authority will further weaken democratic rights, say critics
Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent
Fri 10 Apr 2020 14.06 BST
Last modified on Fri 10 Apr 2020 14.13 BST
The Cambodian National Assembly has passed a state of emergency law granting the country’s autocratic leader, Hun Sen, vast new powers, in what rights groups say is a cynical move to exploit the coronavirus pandemic.
The legislation, passed on Friday, is expected to further weaken democratic rights in a country that has no functioning opposition and key political opponents are either in prison or exile.
While human rights experts agreed some restrictions were needed to slow the spread of coronavirus, it is feared that many leaders are using the emergency to grab power.
In Cambodia, the new legislation contains sweeping provisions allowing the government to carry out unlimited surveillance of telecommunications and control the press and social media. The government would also gain the ability to restrict freedom of movement and assembly, seize private property and enforce quarantines.
In addition, a catch-all clause would authorise “other measures that are deemed appropriate and necessary in response to the state of emergency”.
-snip-
Law that extends Hun Sen’s authority will further weaken democratic rights, say critics
Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent
Fri 10 Apr 2020 14.06 BST
Last modified on Fri 10 Apr 2020 14.13 BST
The Cambodian National Assembly has passed a state of emergency law granting the country’s autocratic leader, Hun Sen, vast new powers, in what rights groups say is a cynical move to exploit the coronavirus pandemic.
The legislation, passed on Friday, is expected to further weaken democratic rights in a country that has no functioning opposition and key political opponents are either in prison or exile.
While human rights experts agreed some restrictions were needed to slow the spread of coronavirus, it is feared that many leaders are using the emergency to grab power.
In Cambodia, the new legislation contains sweeping provisions allowing the government to carry out unlimited surveillance of telecommunications and control the press and social media. The government would also gain the ability to restrict freedom of movement and assembly, seize private property and enforce quarantines.
In addition, a catch-all clause would authorise “other measures that are deemed appropriate and necessary in response to the state of emergency”.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/10/fears-as-cambodia-grants-hun-sen-vast-power-under-covid-19-pretext