Cambodia is the new chair of the ASEAN, and in some ways will shape the agenda of meetings over the coming year. Hot topics are Myanmar and the South China Sea. Meetings have been held very recently between ASEAN and Europe (ASEM), and a summit co-chaired by China and Cambodia.
The new ASEAN envoy for Myanmar is the foreign minister of Cambodia, Prak Sokhon. He was a great friend to the campaign against landmines, and knows well Tun Channareth and Song Kosal of the Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions, which JRS Cambodia serves as a focal point.
On 23 October, Cambodia celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords, a multi-lateral approach that finally stopped the years of war. Achievements remembered were the safe return of about 300,000 refugees from camps, a free multiparty election where 90 per cent of the adult population voted, and the writing of a new constitution that was passed by the elected National Assembly on Mercy Day 1994. Demilitarisation and the surrender of arms started well but ended prematurely. Other not-so-successful goals were the building up of a neutral public service, a non-partisan police force, and the amalgamation of the armies. Lessons learned were shared in a variety of seminars. People involved in the peace process, such as Australia’s Gareth Evans and John Sanderson, and Indonesia’s Marty Natalegawa, participated in sharing memories and lessons learnt. Perhaps reflecting on the process may give pointers and cautions for Myanmar and Afghanistan.
2022 will be the anniversary of the arrival of refugees from the border camps and other parts of Asia. Jesuit Refugee Service began its mission in Cambodia to promote reconciliation and justice in 1990. So we remember well welcoming the first trainload of returnees. Our team from the inside went waving flags saying the great family of Cambodia is coming together again! Let us be happy! Some officials thought we were establishing a new political party! As one of our team members put it: No, just a culture of reconciliation and welcome. They were tired of war and genocide. Next year we plan a great reunion at Metta Karuna where friends can share their photos and stories as they picnic on the lawn.
Cambodia promised 300 temporary places for Afghanis as they try to flee Afghanistan. The first 15 have arrived. As well, five Syrians – a father and his four children – have been reunited with their mother in the Netherlands. The father was sent to Cambodia from Nauru by the Australian government about five years ago. Now only two refugees from Nauru remain in Cambodia, one vulnerable remnant of the offshore processing saga of Australia.
Finally, the Covid-19 vaccination rate in Cambodia is very good and the country is opening to tourists. Many people have been badly affected by the loss of income and are hoping like most of the world for a brighter 2022.
Sr Denise Coghlan RSM is the Director of Jesuit Refugee Service Cambodia, and the Siem Reap Reflection Centre.