Push for Positive Political Change in Cambodia

On Human Rights Day here in Siem Reap opposition leader Sam Rainsy led thousands along the streets of Siem Reap in protest of the present governments lack of legitimacy, corruption and defiance of democratic processes. Grim faces of police lining street corners constrasted with the enthusiastic and optimistic expressions of the Cambodian public cheering as the procession weaved it's way through town.

The chants of "Change, change!" and "Step Down!" echoed through the streets of Siem Reap in protest of Prime Minister Hun Sen's vice-like grip on power for the past 30 years. Young and old Cambodians and Buddhist monks mounted in motorbikes added to the fray as Iwas doubled pillion following the crowd. 

The motorbikes streamed along behind the opposition leader. The Cambodian I spoke to said that they would continue to demonstrate until the peoples' desires are met. Allegations of governmental corruption, elitism, human rights abuses and election rigging have many Cambodians angered at their apparent impotence to democratically change the government. 

However, it seems to me that even when Cambodia goes to the polls again in five years, the problem will still exist: little chance of the election being any fairer than the most recent as the man at the top's lust for power seems not to be waining and his grip on Cambodian politics is as vice-like today as it was twenty years ago, according to many Cambodians and expatriots living in Siem Reap. And as much as these protests demonstrate publicly the social discontent with the present government, they are not bringing about political change when you look at the current prime minister's 30 year rule. They are however producing greater solidarity and resolve in their opposition to political continuity.