Nuon Toeun, a Cambodian citizen, was extradited from Malaysia for a social media post criticizing former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The image of Toeun being handcuffed and surrounded by armed guards outside a Phnom Penh prison sends a chilling message about the consequences of dissent, even beyond Cambodia’s borders.
Toeun, if convicted, could face up to five years in prison for inciting social disorder. Her extradition has sparked outrage among human rights advocates questioning the decision to deport her for speaking out against her own government.
Charles Santiago, co-chair of the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights, highlighted the injustice of Toeun’s extradition, emphasizing that she only criticized her government, not Malaysia. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges to free speech and human rights in Cambodia.