Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei, or Khmer New Year as it is most commonly known, which this year falls on April 14-16, is one of the most auspicious holidays on the Cambodian calendar. Officially representing the end of the harvest season, and the start of the new year, the festival brings together families and communities to celebrate and welcome in new beginnings. Whilst Covid-19 precautions dictate that large-scale celebrations have been cancelled; it is expected that many families will still host intimate gatherings at home to signify this occasion.
Unfortunately, for members of Cambodia's now dissolved political party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei 2020 will offer very little in the way of festivity. Instead, for many activists, this holiday period will likely be spent in hiding, trying to steer clear from the watchful eye of police, officials from Cambodia's intelligence agency, and other entities. With the political situation in Cambodia continuing to deteriorate, many activists are either "going underground" or fleeing the country for their safety.
For some activists such as Keo Thay, the head of CNRP's Kampong Chhnang provincial executive committee, his escape was not able to occur quickly enough. Arrested on March 26 in Kampong Chhnang, Keo Thay is languishing in pre-trial detention in Phnom Penh's notorious Prey Sar Prison. Charged with alleged "plotting, inciting serious chaos to social security, and inciting military personnel to disobedience", Keo Thay is but one individual in a long line of CNRP activists to fall victim to the ongoing campaign to eliminate opposition voices and dissent.
Keo Thay's arrest was followed several days later, on April 2, by the arrest of fellow party-member Khim Pheana, in Rokar Kaong commune in Phnom Penh. Facing identical charges of an equally bogus nature, he has also been detained at Prey Sar Prison. As Hun Sen steps up his crackdown against political opponents, it is just a matter of time before more names are added to the list of detainees at Prey Sar.
For a number of fortunate CNRP officials, many who escaped Cambodia over the past two years, April 2020 will signify their second or even third Khmer New Year away from home. Whether they are living in one of Bangkok's ageing apartment buildings, or in a corner of one of Kuala Lumpur's vibrant multi-ethnic neighbourhoods, the "celebration" will be muted at best. Instead of looking forward to new beginnings and the opportunities that the year ahead may bring, they will instead be focused on trying to find a solution to their life in exile.
It is estimated that there are in excess of 100 CNRP activists currently spread across Thailand and Malaysia. Forced to flee from a range of politically motivated charges such as "treason", "plotting against the state" and "incitement to commit a felony", these individuals are perennially at risk from the tentacles of the Hun Sen regime. Reticent to spend too much time in public spaces, fearful that Cambodian authorities may be monitoring their movements, it is near impossible for these political refugees to conduct their lives with any sort of normalcy.
Vice President of the CNRP Mu Sochua describes the situation of CNRP activists in exile as one in which they cannot rebuild their lives, nor live with any guarantees of long-term safety. She notes "the majority of these activists, people whom are well-educated and only have the betterment of Cambodian society at heart, are wasting their lives simply waiting. This wait is creating a myriad of challenges around mental health, basic financial survival, whilst also creating a "lost generation of uneducated children" unable to access adequate education.
Whilst there are a multitude of refugees from dozens of different countries currently spread across Southeast Asia, it is critical to note the Cambodia's CNRP political refugees face one particular risk that is not common to all refugee communities throughout the region -- the risk of deportation and forcible return to Cambodia. Despite all CNRP activists longing for their country and aching to be with friends and loved ones during Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei, the situation remains far too dangerous for them to return. Facing prison terms ranging from years to decades, the risk to their personal liberty is simply too high.
If pre-existing threats were not enough, many activists are further worried by the draft "Law on Governing the Country in a State of Emergency", currently tabled for review by the National Assembly. Ostensibly designed to nimbly respond to the Covid-19 pandemic should it take hold in the country, there are genuine concerns this vaguely worded document could instead be used as an additional tool to persecute political foes. Should it be implemented, any Cambodian refugee forcibly repatriated would have even less recourse or rights protections than before.
As global resettlement grinds to a halt due to travel restrictions resultant from Covid-19, it remains clear that Cambodia's political refugees will not have access to a durable solution in the short or even medium term. Notwithstanding such obstacles, it is essential the international community continues to see Cambodia's actions for what they are -- ongoing, sustained and vengeful acts of political persecution. Only with a concerted effort and common support by governments, non-governmental bodies and diaspora groups, can we ensure these individuals will be able to spend future Khmer New Year celebrations in happier, more settled surroundings.
Evan Jones is a Southeast Asia-based refugee advocate.