CAMBODIA (UCAN): The prime minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, announced a plan to declare a state of emergency to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on March 25 while addressing a task force to tackle the pandemic in the country, which had reported 91 cases as of March 31.
The announcement came a day after the United States-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Cambodian government of detaining activists and opposition leaders in the name of fighting the virus outbreak.
“I am considering using Article 22 of the constitution to request that the king place the country under a state of emergency,” Hun Sen said, adding, “I do not want to do it, but I will if my bans are not effective,” referring to restrictions, such as sharing information, already put in place.
Since late January, 17 people have been arrested for sharing information about the coronavirus in Cambodia. Police accused those arrested of violating the penal code and engaging in incitement, conspiracy and spreading rumours, the rights group said on March 24. Those arrested include four members of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.
The government “is misusing the Covid-19 outbreak to lock up opposition activists and others expressing concern about the virus and the government’s response,” Phil Robertson, HRW’s deputy Asia director, said.
“It’s truly frightening” that the Cambodian government “seems more interested in silencing online critics than undertaking a massive Covid-19 public information campaign,” Radio Free Asia quoted Robertson as saying.
A 14-year-old girl, who posted her fears of coronavirus cases at her school and in her province on social media, was among the detained, the rights group said.
Among those arrested was Phut Thona Lorn, also known as Lorn Ly, an opposition party supporter. He was detained in the tourist city of Siem Reap.
Lorn Ly had shared two videos on his Facebook account, asking long-time ruler Hun Sen to take more steps to tide over the epidemic crisis. He has been accused of spreading fake news by the Siem Reap provincial court.
HRW said 12 people were released after signing pledges not to spread fake news.
Phay Siphan, a government spokesperson, confirmed some arrests but dismissed the allegations, saying that such measures were adopted to fight false information about the coronavirus.
Siphan said the social media postings were “disturbing and dangerous to people, and created a panic that affects national security.”
Hun Sen initially downplayed the risk of the Covid-19 coronavirus, and on January 30 warned reporters and officials who were wearing face masks at a news conference.
On February 14, he went to the port city of Sihanoukville to welcome over 2,000 passengers of the cruise ship MS Westerdam, who were refused entry by several countries on suspicion of having passengers infected with the virus.
On March 17, Hun Sen was forced to change course and imposed a 30-day ban on arrivals from Italy, Germany, Spain, France, the United States and Iran, where the pandemic has wreaked havoc.
Human Rights Watch said Hun Sen has so far failed to implement an effective health campaign. “The relatively low number of cases reported raises the question of whether sufficient tests are being conducted or necessary information is being shared with the people,” the group said.
Hun Sen recently directed provincial authorities to convert schools into makeshift hospitals, The Phnom Penh Post reported. China has provided medical protective gear and equipment, according to the country’s health department.
