The consequence from this lawsuit is huge for Cambodia. Importantly, the rule of law in Cambodia would be developed and drawn more attention from Cambodian people. This time, not only women in Cambodia see Sochua's crusade is important, the women around the world have also sent letters to both Sochua and Hun Sen to proceed this case peacefully. Sochua might face with retaliation if Hun Sen sues her back by any cases that Hun Sen will always win the case. If court needs the lift Sochua's parliamentarian immunity, it would be a piece of cake for the Cambodia's parliament to show its puppet behavior. But doing so, it only shows the traditional authoritarianism of Hun Sen to the world. If Hun Sen chooses to play this game, Hun Sen is risky to his power legitimacy gained by recent national election.Posted at: http://cambodianbrightfuture.blogspot.com/
Recent report by the Phnom Penh Post wrote that Madam Sochua will sue Hun Sen for his defamatory speech at Kompot relating to a woman politician who was outspoken during 2008 national election. Hun Sen's speech didn't mention Mu Sochua's name directly, but everyone perceives to whom Hun Sen referred to. Hun Sen has to face with defamatory lawsuit once Hun Sen sued Sam Rainsy and others. Of course to sue Hun Sen is a big job for Sochua to expect the predictable outcome. The court is not independent and it is ruled by the CPP's domination. On the other hand, Hun Sen is the big brother in CPP. No one dare challenge him in both CPP's members and opposition's supporters. But this time, Sochua has simply stated that she has no personal interest or personal reputation to gain from this lawsuit. Sochua has decided to bring this lawsuit against Hun Sen because she is expecting to strengthen the rule of law in Cambodia. In the meantime, Cambodian people and observers appreciate Sochua's lawsuit which potentially impulses the strengthening of the rule of law in Cambodia. Both Sochua and Hun Sen can gain their credit through this lawsuit to bring the rule of law to Cambodia. As weak post-war country, Cambodia needs a strong rule of law to cement its foundation.
Cambodia's proverb says "egg don't hit the stone" implies to the weak don't try to challenge with the strong/powerful. Of course this proverb can apply only in the past, but current Cambodia, no one is stronger than the rule of law. This proverb is not applicable with current change. So both Mu Sochua is not egg, and Hun Sen is not stone. Both of these politicians just try to uplift the rule of law in Cambodia. We all should appreciate with this new shift of Cambodia. On the other hand, Khmer poet Krom Ngoy also said "don't make quarrel with woman, don't sue with Chines" is also not applicable in current Cambodia. This poem phrase simply means don't sue with the rich people, and its meaning referring to fighting with woman is substitute to that. However, it is the respecting of woman is Khmer norms and culture. But I don't see lawsuit against Hun Sen this time signifies the glory of woman. It is just another effort to bring the rule of law to Cambodia.
Thus, can this legal lawsuit can bring the rule of law to Cambodia? The answer is wholly depending on the Hun Sen's government and the Cambodia court. Firstly, Hun Sen himself has to see this chance as the rule of law strengthening. It will not discredit him and make him loss anything. He dare speech it for public, he also dare apology it for the public. Secondly, the government which is wholly dominated by CPP has to bear in mind to push for the development of the rule of law through this lawsuit. Thirdly, it is very important that the municipal court should not reject the lawsuit sued by Madam Sochua. If the court rejects it by justifying the lawsuit has no legal base because Hun Sen didn't mention her name directly, it would be partial.
The consequence from this lawsuit is huge for Cambodia. Importantly, the rule of law in Cambodia would be developed and drawn more attention from Cambodian people. This time, not only women in Cambodia see Sochua's crusade is important, the women around the world also send letter to both Sochua and Hun Sen to proceed this case peacefully. Sochua might face with retaliation if Hun Sen sue her back by any cases because Hun Sen will always win the case. If court needs to lift Sochua's parliamentarian immunity, it would be a piece of cake for the Cambodia's parliament to show its puppet behavior. But doing so, it only shows the traditional authoritarianism of Hun Sen to the world. If Hun Sen chooses to play this game, Hun Sen is risky to his power legitimacy gained from recent national election.
In sum, the lawsuit against Hun Sen this time will benefit Cambodia more than loss. The benefit of the rule of law can always yield though lawsuit is successful or Hun Sen retaliate Madam Sochua. We are Cambodian people and younger Cambodians want to see Cambodian politicians to play their game fairly and honestly.
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