Donors Criticize Sonando Sentence
Three of the Cambodia's most important donors have now condemned the 20-year jail term handed down to independent radio station owner Mam Sonando for alleged insurrection activities-a verdict branded as politically motivated by many local and international human rights groups. Despite the tough words from the normally very diplomatic donors, none have suggested that aid will be cut nor other sanctions threatened despite what many see as a steady decline in freedom of association, of speech and mounting use of state violence against peaceful protests. ... But foreign donors are not averse to cutting aid in protest. Last year, the World Bank froze all new lending to Cambodia over the forced eviction of thousands of Phnom Penh's families to make way for a Chinese-funded real estate project at Boeng Kak. Loans from the World Bank currently remain frozen.
