Germany suspends visas for Cambodian govt members
PHNOM PENH: Germany said yesterday it had suspended preferential visas for private travel by members of Cambodia’s government, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, following a government crackdown on the opposition.
The visa suspension was the latest action taken against Hun Sen’s government by a Western country following the dissolution of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Hun Sen’s main rival, by the Supreme Court last year.
CNRP was dissolved at the request of the ruling party, which had accused CNRP of plotting to topple the government. CNRP denied the charge.
Rights groups said Hun Sen and his allies had escalated intimidation of their opponents ahead of elections this year, and accused them of misusing the justice system to prosecute critics and force independent media outlets to shut.
Germany’s Foreign Office said Germany had suspended preferential visas for Cambodian government members.
“The Foreign Office confirms the suspension of preferential visa treatment for private travel by Cambodian government members, including by Prime Minister Hun Sen and his family, by highranking military officials and the presidents of the highest Cambodian court,” a spokesman said.
“The Foreign Office confirms that Germany has encouraged other EU members to impose similar measures following months of the Cambodian government’s crackdown on media outlets, nongovernmental organisations and political opposition.”
Sok Eysan, a spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, said the government had not been notified about Germany’s move and did not think it was a big deal.
“If we can’t go to Germany, we won’t die,” he said.