Cambodia jails detractors expelled by Thailand

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An honor guard adjusts the national flags of Cambodia before a welcoming ceremony at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand on December 18, 2015. REUTERS / Athit Perawongmetha / File Photo

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PHNOM PENH, Nov.22 (Reuters) – Three Cambodian refugees expelled from Thailand have been jailed for conspiracy and incitement to violence, police said on Monday, as pressure increases on Thailand to protect activists facing persecution in their country. country.

The pretrial detention of the three members of the dissolved opposition party in Cambodia comes amid a widespread crackdown that began in the run-up to the 2018 general elections and was condemned by the United Nations and the West.

Veourn Veasna and Voeung Samnang were registered refugees under UN protection and returned earlier this month. Thavry Lanh, a former commune chief, was sent back to Cambodia on Saturday, Human Rights Watch said.

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“The ‘swap mart’ deal between the Cambodian and Thai authoritarians is running at full speed, flouting the protection and rights of refugees,” deputy director for Asia, Phil Robertson, told Reuters on Monday.

The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh declined to comment. Thailand’s immigration office said it had no details of the specific cases, but it was typical for the UN refugee agency to be consulted, even though Thailand did not leave. to the Refugee Convention.

Office spokesman Achayon Kraithong said Thailand would prioritize immigration law but avoid putting people at risk

Cambodian police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun said the three jailed activists broke Thailand’s immigration law and Cambodia did not request their deportation.

“They have arrest warrants against them, so when they arrive we have to promulgate the arrest warrants,” said Chhay Kim Khoeun.

“How can it be a violation of human rights when you live illegally in Thailand? I don’t understand. Thailand has applied its law and we are applying ours,” he said.

Dozens of activists are likely to be in hiding in the two respective countries, according to rights groups, fleeing the authorities’ crackdown on opponents.

“These people deserve protection, not deportation to a country where they could be persecuted or ill-treated,” said Ming Yu Hah, deputy regional director of campaigns for Amnesty International.

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Additional reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok; Editing by Martin Petty

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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