Criticism of Cambodian Government Leads to Violent Attack on Activist
A prominent critic of the Cambodian government has been hospitalized in critical condition following a brutal assault in the capital, Phnom Penh. Ny Nak, who had recently served an 18-month jail term for criticizing the country’s COVID-19 restrictions, was attacked by unidentified assailants while traveling on his motorbike. The incident occurred just hours after he had publicly criticized Cambodia’s Minister of Agriculture on social media.
The attack on Ny Nak is the latest in a string of similar incidents targeting outspoken activists in Cambodia. Many of these attacks have primarily targeted members of the opposition, with alleged political motivations behind them. Shockingly, none of the assailants involved in these beatings have been brought to justice.
According to Sok Sreynet, Ny Nak’s wife who was with him during the attack, a motorbike crashed into them before its occupants began assaulting her husband with metal batons. The assailants beat Ny Nak unconscious, resulting in him being rushed to a local clinic for emergency treatment. Currently, he remains in critical condition, with photos obtained by RFA (Radio Free Asia) showing him in bed with visible injuries, including severe swelling to his lips.
While the police did arrive at the scene to file a report and collect CCTV footage, Sok Sreynet expressed doubt that their investigation would lead to any significant results. She highlighted that none of the attackers involved in previous beatings have ever been arrested, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the authorities’ efforts.
Sok Sreynet expressed her concerns over her husband’s safety, emphasizing that he had not engaged in any recent disputes that could have led to such a violent retaliation. She lamented the fact that in society, victims often find themselves without any support or assistance.
In a desperate plea for justice, Sok Sreynet took to Facebook, including photos of Ny Nak in the clinic, and urged the authorities to identify and apprehend the suspects responsible for the attack. She called for justice to be served for her husband’s severe beating.
This is not the first time Ny Nak has faced repercussions for speaking out against the Cambodian government. In 2019, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison and heavily fined after criticizing the country’s COVID-19 policy as excessively restrictive. He later apologized to then-Prime Minister Hun Sen and posted pictures of himself with the head of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Following his release earlier this year, Ny Nak resumed posting critical comments about the government on Facebook under the pseudonym IMAN-KH.
Hours before the attack, Ny Nak had taken to social media to criticize the Minister of Agriculture, Dith Tina, over his handling of a report on rice prices. In his post, Ny Nak highlighted the minister’s wealth of resources and advisors, questioning why he couldn’t produce a more thorough report. The attack occurred only a day after Ny Nak claimed that two members of the CPP had approached him with an invitation to join their party, which he declined.
Am Sam Ath, the head of a local human rights group, Licadho, called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident and the prosecution of the individuals responsible. He stressed that the government must address not only this case but also other outstanding assault cases involving political activists. Failure to address these issues could result in accusations of politically motivated actions by the government, potentially damaging its reputation.
In recent years, Cambodia has seen numerous similar attacks targeting political and social activists. Last month, two opposition party activists who sought asylum in Thailand were also subjected to violence.
Although requests for comment from the authorities regarding this specific assault went unanswered, Minister of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak in the past stated that the police were actively working on previous cases.
The repeated incidents of violence against activists in Cambodia highlight the need for a thorough investigation into these cases. Failure to address these attacks not only raises concerns about freedom of speech but also perpetuates a culture of impunity. The government must act swiftly to ensure justice is served and to protect its citizens’ right to express their opinions without fear of retribution.
