By Sam
Sotha
[The comments in
this article are solely those of the own opinion of the author]
Though there is no
universally accepted definition of democracy, the origin of this term comes from
the Greek language: Demos, meaning “people” and Kratos, referring to “power”.
Therefore the founding principle of democracy is that people are vested in power
directly or through their elected representatives. They make decision on their
behalf.
From there on
countries, especially those that just emancipated from colonialism or emerged
from oppression, were striving to build and strengthen their societies by
establishing strong vivid internal security to a sound and imperishable
socio-economic society. Gradually, they moved to establish the rule of law to
enforce security and order, teaching their people the principle of democracy,
including freedom of expression, human rights and so forth. However,
economically speaking those people needed to survive first. If we go to the
countryside in Cambodia (which forms more than 80% of the population) and ask
them what they needed: democracy, freedom, internet and face book, tweeter,
etc... All the answers we may get: “give me hoe, plough, cows, paddy, fertilizer
and build us irrigation system, road, bridge,” etc
Cambodia has been gone
through these path: negotiation and an agreement to end decades of wars,
elections, entering the final phase of national unity (in 1998); restoring and
promoting peoples’standard of living in both rural and urban areas. Building
schools, clinics, hospitals, infrastructures and other basic necessities,
including clean water, food, shelter and clothing have been the concern of the
Royal Government.
All of these
achievements are in a great measure, thanks to Samdech Techo Hun Sen Prime
Minister of the Kingdom, who brilliantly guided the country from the very
beginning (after UNTAC left) until today.
The first United
Nations sponsored elections in May 1993 marked the foundation for democracy in
war torn Cambodia, and 1998 was not only the trademark year for lasting peace
–the demolition to ground zero of the Khmer rouge political and military
organization, but also the successful test witnessing Cambodia’s strive for
self-determination: Cambodian’s running the also general elections by their own
to the satisfaction of the international monitoring body who went on to certify
that they were generally free, fair and credible! Of course, there were some
minor complaints but the overall results were generally accepted.
Incredibly uncontested,
the testimony of the successes followed by a couple more of elections, in 2003
and 2008, made apparent that political games at the ballot box were being
played: In a democratic pluralism, competition through ballots is a real
political game of democratic pluralism.
The Constitution
established in 1993 by lawmakers composed of legal experts from different
winning political parties was apparently partial flawed in a way which led to
suspicions (and mistrust). Article 90, para. 7 stipulated that “The National
Assembly shall pass a vote of confidence in the Royal Government by a 2/3
majority of all members. It obviously emphasized the will and the need for all
winning parties to run the country together. Nevertheless, this has been
strengthened and steps adopted to ensure that the more the political game of
democratic pluralism evolved, the more the inclination for existing parties to
conclude that the government should be formed only by an absolute majority votes
of members of the National Assembly. Accordingly, this amendment to Article 90,
point 7 has been made in 2006.
While in fact there is
no perfect model of democracy anywhere in the world but democracy generally
practiced by countries elsewhere, accepted that a government could be formed
by an absolute majority of votes.
Considering that the
legal and judicial system was completely destroyed by the genocidal regime of
Pol Pot, the new Cambodia since 1993 has undergone substantial transformation.
The National Assembly has passed hundreds of laws, from civil and penal laws to
financial, banking and trade laws to accommodate the Cambodia’s accession to
WTO.
Recently, as enshrined
in the Cambodian Constitution, the Royal Government has developed the NGOs and
Association draft law which were objected to by some foreign NGOs and local
associations. Yet, the Royal Government has characteristically been open to
compromise through constructive discussion and consultations while ensuring
that if this law is passed, it shall be generally accepted as stipulated in the
non-profit laws covering the ‘community based organization’ in many western
countries.
So far, for the freedom
of expression we have witnessed, such as the impression of Mr. Ross Dungley,
the Publisher of an English newspaper in Cambodia, the Phnom Penh Post, which
for long has never articulated any positive consciousness on media
responsibility, said “What people don’t acknowledge enough is that Cambodia has
the freest media market in Asia... This is unique and wonderful, and it makes
Cambodia the most exciting place for adventure in this region”.
Should a cynical person
so desire would want to return back to tribalism society? Then, let us together
join hands to build up a pluralistic democracy but let us not destroy this
foundation.
* * *
About the Author:
Mr. Sam Sotha is a former Ambassador for Mine Action, Explosive Remnants of War
(ERW), Cluster Munitions and Disarmament. He is currently served as Advisor to
the Prime Minister and Secretary of State of the Office of the Council of
Ministers. He is also the author of the book entitled “IN THE SHADE of A Quiet
killing Place”, his Personal Memoir. About the book, go to: Web site: http://www.heavenlakepress.com