Amnesty colonising?

A top adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen and head of the government's human rights committee Friday accused Amnesty International of colonialism, after the right group's sharp criticism of the government's rights record in 2006.

Amnesty released "State of the World's Human Rights 2007" earlier this week, in which it said rights abuses in Cambodia continue.

"I don't understand Amnesty International," Hun Sen adviser Om Yentieng said. "It wants to put colonial rule on Cambodia, and it seems like it is too much. It is about time this should stop, the urge to rule Cambodia. Please let Cambodia have its freedom for development, and don't bother it too much. (Source)

So the PM's adviser, Om Yentieng, is accusing Amnesty International of colonialism. Apart from the utter ridiculousness of the statement, it shows that he does not understand the concept. Om Yentieng it is impossible to be a coloniser without governing a sovereign state. Amnesty is an international NGO, not a sovereign state.

Since when does pointing out human rights abuses equate to colonialism. Cambodia needs more scrutiny. People and organisations in a position of authority must point out abuses and suggest solutions or Cambodia may not arrest its slide into a police state. Yash Ghai is here to get input from government for his report on abuses in Cambodia to the Human Rights Council. No government official will meet him and the PM declares that he will never meet him again.

Certain political entities commit human rights abuses with impunity in Cambodia and without Amnesty and the UN that would continue unchecked. The local Cambodian NGOs do fantastic work but international pressure is a fundamental element in combating both the abuses and the climate of impunity in which they flourish.