Aussies considering a quick break in one of the many plush resorts popping up in Cambodia need to stop and consider whether they want to reward the loathsome Hun Sen regime with their much needed foreign currency. You can read about the case here:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45364695
The savage jailing for six years of elderly Aussie journalist James Ricketson is clearly a nonsensical, Kafkaesque attempt to stifle both journalistic freedom and criticism of the increasingly authoritarian Government.
Cambodia is a country which relies on Australian aid, (somewhere around $80-90 million in the most recent year), has close governmental contact with Australia, and which needs close trade ties with Australia to continue its development from the nightmare of the Pol Pot era.
It’s time the Australian Government stopped pussy-footing around human rights abuses by our near neighbours. Incoming Foreign Minister Marise Payne – no shrinking violet – has an opportunity to stamp her authority on the position by demanding that Cambodia release Ricketson forthwith.
No ifs, no buts, no diplomatic doublespeak, no procrastination, no face-saving formulas. Now.
For heavens’ sake, Cambodian prosecutors can’t even say who Ricketson was supposed to be spying for.
If you wish to urge Marise Payne to take immediate and effective action, we suggest you email her on:
Email: Senator.Payne@aph.gov.au
Foreign Affairs: Foreign.minister@dfat.gov.au
#Asia #Asean #MarisePayne #Australia #justice
Well, This Is What I Think 
Utterly disgusting behaviour of the Cambodian government – as you say, people outside Cambodia should vote with their feet and wallets and not go there. Mind you, I’d think it would be wise on many levels not to go there, as things seem to be getting worse very quickly!
Marise Payne should demand James Ricketson’s release PDQ – but these days politicians seem to be quick to demand what they want for themselves, not to try to help others. Time will tell.
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PS sent email – thanks for including the email addresses.
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Thank you 🙂
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Thanks for this. I hope it reaches a great number of people who are in a position to consider a Cambodian holiday, and affects their decisions.
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