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Mu Suchua wants little more than an apology but the move to challenge
Presenter: Robert Carmichael
Speaker: Mu Suchua, Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian
But that could soon change. Unless Hun Sen retracts recent comments, a female opposition MP will begin a court action against him before the end of April. Mu Sochua is a senior MP in the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, or SRP, the largest opposition party. Before she joined the SRP she was the minister for women's affairs in the coalition government.
The SRP is a constant thorn in the prime minister's side, regularly criticizing him and his ruling Cambodian People's Party for not cracking down on corruption and abuses of the law. The comments made by the prime minister and broadcast nationally didn't use Mu Sochua's name directly, but she says she was clearly the target. Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith says the prime minister is not concerned about the case, and says Mu Sochua is simply presenting herself as a victim and trying to discredit Hun Sen. Khieu Kanharith says the MP is simply trying to get noticed by the media, and stresses that Hun Sen did not actually name anyone in his speech. But, he adds, if Mu Sochua feels she has been insulted, she is entitled to seek remedy through the courts.
So what actually happened? Referring to a land grab case in the southern province of Kampot - which Mu Sochua represents - Hun Sen said that those villagers who wanted their case resolved by him ought not to go to 'the opposition female MP'. Five villagers were injured when the army threw them off their land and burned down their homes - another reminder of the ongoing problem of impunity and land rights in
During his speech, says Mu Sochua, Hun Sen referred to her as 'cheung chat' - a derogatory term that she says conveys the meaning of a hustler, somewhere between a gangster and a prostitute.
That, she claims, was in response to an event during last year's general election when she was campaigning for the SRP and was allegedly assaulted by an army general, losing buttons off her shirt. She sued the general, and that case is now headed for the
Mu Sochua says that the prime minister ought not to have said anything that could influence the judges in that case. Her chances of getting justice now, she says, are ruined.
Which is why MPs from the two opposition parties sent a letter to the president of parliament demanding that Hun Sen either provide proof for his words or retract his statements.
Mu Sochua admits that a retraction and apology are unlikely. So next week her lawyer will file the case in the municipal court in
So why is she taking on the prime minister?
MU SOCHUA: This is the first time, and I do this on behalf of Cambodian women. I do it on behalf of women in general, because women who are raped, who are assaulted - verbally, sexually, physically and so on - who don't have a voice, cry in silence, are ruined inside. This is a symbolic case and also an unprecedented case.
ROBERT CARMICHAEL: Mu Sochua says she is concerned that her move could prove dangerous. To offset the perceived dangers she has lined up some influential friends. Her office features a photograph of her with
Mrs Clinton is also linked with US organisations that have pledged Mu Sochua their support in this matter, as are a number of other
MU SOCHUA: It is dangerous - if you consider all the killings that have taken place of people who are strong activists, who are human rights activists, and members of the opposition.
ROBERT CARMICHAEL: So what does she want out of the case? Simply an apology and 500 riel in damages - a symbolic sum of around fifteen Australian cents.
Mu Sochua admits it is unlikely that she will win her case, but says if she does she will frame the red 500 riel banknote and hang it in her office in honour of women around the world who are exploited.
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