2013–2014 Cambodian protests facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 2013–2014 Cambodian protests |
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Protesters and opposition supporters marching
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| Date | 28 July 2013 – 22 July 2014 (11 months, 3 weeks and 3 days) |
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| Caused by | Electoral fraud, political corruption, illegal logging and human rights violations | ||
| Goals | Democracy, electoral reform and snap election | ||
| Methods | Demonstrations, civil disobedience and internet activism | ||
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Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation
The Anti-government protests in Cambodia happened from July 2013 to July 2014. Many people demonstrated in Phnom Penh against the government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen. These protests started because of many claims of electoral fraud during the 2013 Cambodian general election. People also wanted higher wages, like $160 a month. Some people were also unhappy about Vietnam's influence in Cambodia. The main opposition party refused to join parliament after the elections. Large protests took place in December 2013. In January 2014, the government took strong action, which led to 4 deaths. The main protest camp was then cleared.
Many people in Cambodia felt there was a lot of corruption. They also felt they did not have enough freedom. The quality of life was also seen as low. Cambodia often ranks low in international surveys about these issues. There is a big gap between rich and poor people. Also, one-third of children in Cambodia are not getting enough food. People who spoke out against the government were sometimes arrested for unclear reasons.
Prime Minister Hun Sen showed his power by closing Freedom Park. This park in central Phnom Penh was a place where the opposition protested. Now, it is strictly closed to the public. It looks like a strong military base. Many Cambodians were upset about land being taken, government corruption, and problems at work. This is because one person has controlled the country for almost 30 years. Freedom Park is now closed for good. The protests became smaller after the government stopped factory strikes in January. At least four people died during these strikes. This worried big clothing brands like Adidas, Nike, and Gap that have businesses in Cambodia. After that, anti-government protests that aimed for hundreds of thousands of people only attracted a few hundred. Freedom Park was shut down in April.
Contents
Why Did People Protest?
Many people joined the protests for different reasons. They wanted a fairer government and better lives.
Garment Workers' Demands
Most of the protesters were women who worked in clothing factories. They strongly believed their wages were too low. These workers asked for higher wages and better working conditions. This included basic health care and protection at work. About 700,000 people work in the garment industry. About 90% of these workers are women. These women were protesting not just as workers, but also because of gender inequality. This is a big problem in Cambodia. Cambodian women workers play a huge role in helping the country's economy. About 67.72% of Cambodia's money comes from selling goods and services to other countries. And 87% of these are manufactured goods, often made by these workers.
The 2013 Election
On July 28, 2013, general elections were held in Cambodia. The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) said they won with 68 seats. But the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the main opposition party, got 55 seats. They said the election results were wrong and refused to join the opening of parliament. They claimed there were problems with how people voted. Countries like the E.U. and U.S. also worried about possible fraud. Human Rights Watch, a group that works for human rights, asked for an independent group to check the election claims. The opposition party organized big protests in Phnom Penh in December. This included motorbike rallies. The government said these protests were against the law. They also said the protests were "causing chaos."
Historical Unhappiness with Vietnam
The protests were also partly against Vietnam. This is because of Vietnam's long history of involvement in Cambodian affairs. Vietnamese influence started to grow in Cambodia around the 13th century. It became more direct in the 19th century. Vietnam had interfered in Cambodia since the 17th century. One example was when Cambodia's only Muslim ruler, Ramathipadi I, was overthrown. Vietnam's continuing influence also led to strong reactions from Siam (now Thailand). But in the 19th century, Vietnam gained more control in Cambodia. It took over the entire Mekong Delta area. Vietnam tried to make Khmers (Cambodian people) part of their country. This often led to strong anger. But Vietnamese influence stayed in Cambodia, even during French rule. In 1949, the French President said the Mekong Delta was part of Vietnam. This caused future problems.
In the 20th century, both Vietnamese and Cambodian groups worked together to end French rule. However, Cambodian groups did not trust the Vietnamese. They thought Vietnam wanted to create a larger Indochina under its control. This led to anger from leaders like Lon Nol and Pol Pot. Pol Pot especially hated Vietnam. The Khmer Krom people also wanted to free the Mekong Delta from Vietnamese control. This was made harder by the ongoing Vietnam War. After South Vietnam lost in 1975, communist groups in both countries took control. But the Khmer Rouge (Pol Pot's group) and Vietnamese communists became very hostile. This led to the Cambodian–Vietnamese War, where Vietnam occupied Cambodia for ten years. Because of this history, many Cambodians have a lasting fear of Vietnam.
Economic Differences
Besides history, money was another reason for the protests. Since the fall of the Khmer Empire, Vietnam has been stronger economically. Both countries were badly damaged by the Vietnam War. But Vietnam's reforms in 1986 quickly helped its economy grow. As a result, Vietnam's economy became more connected globally and expanded. This made it stronger in Cambodia. Vietnamese economic power often made Cambodians unhappy. They often felt Vietnam was the cause of Cambodia's problems. Culturally, Vietnam is also seen as more modern and open. Cambodia has struggled between its past pride in the Khmer Empire and its current economic challenges. Also, Cambodia is influenced by India, while Vietnam is influenced by China. These cultural differences also made the hostility worse.
What Happened Next?
After many discussions, the Cambodia National Rescue Party agreed to join parliament. This happened after they met with government officials on July 22, 2014. Both sides signed an agreement to share leadership roles in the National Assembly. A member from the CNRP would become the First Vice President of the National Assembly. A member from the CPP would be the Second Vice President. The opposition party would also lead 5 out of 10 special committees. This included a new Anti-Corruption Commission. Also, Sam Rainsy, who was not allowed to run in the election, was accepted as a Member of Parliament. Opposition MPs then took their oath at the Royal Palace on August 5, 2014.
International Reactions
Many countries and groups spoke out about the violence. The United Nations and the U.S. State Department said the violence was wrong. U.S. Congressman Ed Royce asked Prime Minister Hun Sen to step down. He said, "It's time for Hun Sen to end his three-decade grip on power and step down." More than 500 Cambodian Americans protested in front of the White House. They asked the United States government for help. They also demanded that the 23 people arrested on January 3 during the police action be released. The UN human rights envoy to Cambodia, Surya Subedi, visited Cambodia. He met with Prime Minister Hun Sen.
On January 29, opposition leader Sam Rainsy went to Geneva. There, the UN Human Rights Council was looking at Cambodia's human rights record. This was part of a regular review process.
The European Union, Australia, Germany, Poland, Japan, and Thailand all shared their concerns. They worried about human rights in Cambodia. Human Rights Watch asked the UN to put pressure on the Cambodian government.
Gallery
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Armed Cambodian riot police. The violence was the worst in Cambodia since crackdowns on protests after 1998 elections.
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CNRP President Sam Rainsy and Vice President Kem Sokha wave to protesters during a demonstration in December 2013.
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Beehive Radio journalist Mam Sonando leads a demonstration at the Ministry of Information, in January 2014.
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Riot police block a protest by civil societies and NGOs in Phnom Penh.
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A young protester screams for Prime Minister Hun Sen to step down on the final day of a three-day rally by the opposition.
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CNRP President Sam Rainsy leads supporters to submit petitions to Western embassies calling for an independent investigation into alleged election irregularities.
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An opposition protester marches, holding up a sign that says "Re-election".
See also
In Spanish: Protestas de Camboya de 2013-2014 para niños
- 2003 Phnom Penh riots
- 2014 anti-Vietnamese protests in Cambodia
- List of protests in the 21st century
