Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

The international community and thousands of Cambodian Australians will be watching Cambodia very closely on 9 November, the Independence Day of Cambodia. This comes after a lengthy period of growing oppression of civil and political rights in that country. We've seen the assassination of activist Kem Ley. We've seen the imprisonment of opposition leader Kem Sokha and the shutting down of free media like The Cambodia Daily and the local Radio Free Asia outlets. We've seen the deregistration of the official political opposition, the CNRP, and most recently the laying of additional trumped-up charges against long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy. Mr Rainsy has announced his intention to return to his homeland from exile on Independence Day on 9 November. Cambodians are showing their support for Mr Rainsy's return with the 'nine fingers' campaign. In response, the dictator Hun Sen has threatened to cut off the fingers of those who have been showing their support that way. He's also threatened violence against Mr Rainsy and any supporters who accompany Mr Rainsy on his return on the ninth.

I urge the Australian government to watch these events very closely. As a key player in the Paris Peace Accords 28 years ago, Australia has a particular responsibility to speak out strongly in support of civil and political freedom in that country.

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