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Cambodia's Long Road to Recovery

Cambodia is in the midst of a huge transition. The Khmer Rouge may be gone, but 25 years later, the effects of this brutal regime still linger. The country is slowly reshaping its legislation and economy with the goal of becoming a peaceful and prosperous nation.

When Pol Pot's infamous Khmer Rouge came into power in 1975, it immediately abolished private property and money in an attempt to create a "utopian" society. Shortly after, the regime ordered the evacuation of all the cities and towns, sending Cambodians to the countryside to cultivate the land. During its short time in power, the Khmer Rouge was responsible for the death of nearly two million people.

Cambodia was invaded by Vietnam in 1978, sparking more than a decade of fighting in the region. As Vietnamese troops pursued Pol Pot's forces, thousands of Cambodians traveled to the Thai border in search of refuge. The occupation army, led by Heng Samrin, controlled most of the countryside and major population centers.

During this time, several non-communist groups formed to fight for Cambodia's independence, invoking Khmer nationalism throughout the country. In 1981, Prince Norodom Sihanouk formed the United National Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) and its military arm, the Armee Nationale Sihanoukienne, which expanded its presence throughout Cambodia. The FUNCINPEC and other groups provided a much-needed political alternative to the Khmer Rouge and the Vietnamese-supported People's Republic of Kampuchea. In 1986, Vietnamese forces began to withdraw, and the last troops left Cambodia in September 1989.

The Paris Conference on Cambodia, comprised of representatives of 18 countries, four Cambodian political parties, and the U.N. Secretary General, met in 1989 negotiate a comprehensive settlement. The settlement was based on three objectives: the prevention of the return to power by the Khmer Rouge, a verified withdrawal of the remaining Vietnamese troops, and a guarantee for Cambodian independence and neutrality. On August 28, 1990, an agreement was made, and in 1991 the United Nations was given full authority to prepare the country for free and fair elections.

With the help of the United Nations, elections were held in 1993, establishing Cambodia as a multi-party democracy under a constitutional monarchy. King Norodom Sihanouk was named the constitutional monarch and a coalition government was formed, headed by Prime Ministers Hun Sen and Norodom Ranariddh. Ranariddh was ousted by Sen in 1997, leaving Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) the dominant party in the country. The main opposition Sam Rainsy Party and the royalist FUNCINPEC Party are both working towards the same goal: a tripartite government without Sen as the leader. They accuse the CPP and Sen of being authoritarian, using its power to influence policy and elections.

Two Buddhist monks examine bas-reliefs in Angkor Wat. Photo © Terra Galleria Photography.

The country is still technically a democracy, though. During the general election held in July 2003, approximately 80 percent of the country's 6.3 million registered voters cast their ballots. Under the Constitution created in 1993, universal adult suffrage is guaranteed for those 18 years of age and older.

While political change comes slowly, inconsistent enforcement of laws and protection of rights remains a serious problem throughout Cambodia. Prostitution, for example, is an ongoing dilemma. It is prohibited constitutionally, yet there is no specific legislation addressing prostitution, making it harder to stop sex tourism and the trafficking of women. During 2002, the government focused more of its attention on trafficking and initiated several prosecutions, but it has not significantly reduced the amount of trafficking occurring throughout the country.

Children are also being affected by the booming sex industry, many of them sold into prostitution by their families. In 1999, the International Labour Organization reported that more than 15 percent of prostitutes were between 9 and 15 years of age. Child prostitution and trafficking are common, as foreigners travel to Cambodia specifically for the purpose of exploiting children. At least six cases were prosecuted in 2002 in which foreigners were charged with pornography violations or pedophilia. Government officials hope to try more cases, although it remains a drop in the bucket.

The environment also suffers from the government's inability to consistently implement laws and regulations. Timber is one of the most lucrative forms of revenue in Cambodia, but uncontrolled illegal logging continues to reduce the size of Cambodia's forests. Besides deforestation, excessive logging can also cause ecological issues such as landslides and floods.

The government has slowly taken measures to promote the protection of the nation's forests. In 2002, the National Assembly passed a law making it illegal to cut down trees in designated areas. The law imposes jail sentences and fines for those who do not comply. It also established Arbor Day, an annual tree-planting day on July 9, and encourages newlyweds to plant two trees before filing for their marriage certificate.

In some cases, citizens are taking matters into their own hands. Along National Route 5, Cambodian farmers are joining forces to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is threatening their communities.
Route 5 is part of the Trans-Asia Highway which links Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It has helped to increase the flow of goods and services in the rural areas of Cambodia, as well as easier access to and from cities. Unfortunately, as the movement of people along the highway increases, so has the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Two U.N. organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Development Programme, combined efforts in 2000 to educate farmers about the disease through the Farmer Life School (FLS). The farmers who participate in the FLS study and research topics ranging from health, poverty, and the environment.

As one of the poorest countries in the world, Cambodia is the recipient of many loans and grants from various international organizations. In 2002, the Asian Development Bank approved a grant from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction to aid in the education of poor girls and children of ethnic minorities in lower secondary schools (grades 7-9). Another JPFR grant was approved by the ADB in January 2003; it will be used to support environmental improvement in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh.

In an attempt to boost the economy, Cambodia joined the World Trade Organization in September. Government officials hope their membership will attract more investment and trade from foreign corporations, especially in the gem and tourism industries. However, cutting tariffs could drain Cambodia's funds and possibly threaten its own industries.

Progress and change dominate the atmosphere of Cambodia, a country that has dealt with one of the most horrific genocides in modern history. Those who survived the Khmer Rouge regime will never forget those 3 ´ years of terror. But perhaps the glimmers of hope that are evident throughout Cambodia will help them to work toward a promising future. It will be a struggle for this nation, but the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be getting closer.

See also: Reinventing Khmer