A Cambodian woman working as a maid in Malaysia was deported back to Cambodia for criticizing the country’s leaders on social media, according to CNN.
The woman, named Nuon Toeun, had been working in Malaysia for several years but was arrested by Malaysian authorities after the Cambodian government requested her return.
Upon arriving in Cambodia, she was taken to a prison in Phnom Penh and charged with incitement to cause social disorder and discrimination. If found guilty, she could face up to five years in jail.
Nuon Toeun is not a famous activist, but she often used social media to speak out against Cambodia’s government, especially criticizing Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, former Prime Minister Hun Sen.
A few days before her arrest, she posted a video on Facebook expressing anger about how the leaders were treating the Cambodian people, as reported by CNN.
Human rights groups have condemned her deportation, saying it’s part of a troubling pattern where Southeast Asian governments are helping each other silence critics.
Groups like Human Rights Watch and Freedom House have spoken out against this practice, which has seen political dissidents deported from countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and others back to places where they might face persecution or harsh punishment.
The Khmer Movement for Democracy, a group formed by opposition leaders, also criticized Malaysia for sending Nuon Toeun back without proper legal process. They said she had committed no crime other than sharing her opinions online, which they argued was a violation of her human rights.
CNN reported that this isn’t the first time Cambodia’s government has been accused of targeting critics, as the ruling Cambodia People’s Party has been known for cracking down on opposition voices, particularly since the 2018 election.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/03/asia/cambodian-maid-deported-malaysia-intl-hnk/index.html