Watching from outside the Sokha Hotel, activists and human rights defenders in Cambodia and Myanmar shrugged: As usual, they said, it was doubtful the yearly summit would lead to any material change for their situations.
A string of high-level meetings has continued back-to-back in Phnom Penh this weekend, with Asean stating it could reconsider Myanmar’s participation in future meetings and the U.N. chief calling for human rights defenders and climate activists in Cambodia to be protected.
Myanmar and Ukraine are expected to be key topics as the Asean Summit — and at least 12 side summits — kick off in Phnom Penh Thursday.
Amid targeted raids and arrests against scam and human trafficking operations in Cambodia, accounts from victims and a rescue group indicate that at least some syndicates are going to great lengths to relocate workers to a new country to evade capture.
Seven people have been charged and jailed over weapons trafficking in Cambodia’s western provinces, as authorities are now hunting for ringleaders they say they have already identified.
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said Wednesday there was no easy solution to the civil strife in Myanmar and that the military junta and groups opposed to the February 2021 coup wanted nothing short of victory over the other.
Hun Sen shot down an uncomfortable question at a press conference with the Malaysian prime minister. A Chinese industry body say they are concerned about crimes against Chinese nationals at the hands of scam operations.
A foreign national was arrested for extortion at NagaWorld 2, while Myanmar junta rejects Cambodia’s request to meet ousted civilian leaders.
Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn plans to visit Myanmar in March. The Supreme Court upheld a life sentence for the bodyguard of local tycoon Thong Sarath, who has evaded prison time in relation to the 2014 murder of his business rival.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court delayed a mass-trial hearing against CNRP members and supporters because a defense lawyer had come in contact with a Covid-19 case at PJ Prison. Six political parties welcomed the National Election Committee’s decision to retain Form 1102, which is used to report results to poll observers at voting stations.
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