28 March 2016•Update: 02 April 2016
By Lauren Crothers
PHNOM PENH
A Cambodian-American advocacy group on Monday welcomed a decision by the eldest son of Cambodia’s long-time ruler, Hun Sen, to pull out of an upcoming event to mark the Khmer New Year in the United States.
A post on the Cambodia-America Alliance (CAA) Facebook page said Manet’s decision not to attend the parade next month “is a victory for all Cambodians, at home or abroad”.
“His public appearance would not be tolerated by any freedom loving Khmer,” it added. “Simply put, the people have spoken; Hun Manet, the ambassador of tyranny and oppression is not welcome in America.”
It also urges people to use a “Never Manet” hashtag on social media.
Manet announced Sunday that although he initially accepted an invitation to attend a parade in Long Beach, California—home to a large Cambodian diaspora community—he has now decided not to, after receiving word about plans to protest his appearance.
He was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying that it was “not time to show muscles against each other, which shows divisions among Khmers”.
In a statement Monday, CAA president, Touch Vibol referred to Hun Sen as a “dictator” dragging the country toward “a complete authoritarian regime,” and Manet as a “tyrant’s son”.
The group also denied that the protests were politically motivated, arguing instead that “this was about human decency and respect”.
“[Manet] must understand that we are no longer accepting any form of his father’s iron fist rule. His presence in the parade would mean to completely ignore the suffering our people are going through and legitimizing a Hun Dynasty.
"He calls for unity when his party continually oppresses Khmers. He calls for putting aside differences while they continue to imprison rights and environmental activists."
In October, Manet gave a rare televised interview in which he said “not no, not yes”, when asked if he would ever take the reigns from Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for the past 30 years.
He is a lieutenant general with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, leads the counter terrorism department and is also a deputy commander in his father’s bodyguard unit.
