The U.S. is proposing legislation to address transnational repression, particularly from regimes like Cambodia’s that intimidate their diaspora members.
The Transnational Repression Policy Act, introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley, plans to create a task force in the Department of Homeland Security to monitor foreign governments’ intimidation tactics in the U.S. and report to Congress annually. To be effective, the bill should include personal sanctions like asset freezes against those responsible for transnational repression.
Cambodia has a history of transnational repression, with critics of the Hun family regime facing threats and violence even outside the country. Even after Hun Sen stepped down as prime minister, the pattern of intimidation continues under his son Hun Manet.
One example is the case of a supporter of the Sam Rainsy Party in Cambodia who fled to France after facing threats and disownment from their family for criticizing the regime. Despite these challenges, dissenting voices from the Cambodian diaspora continue to exist worldwide.
It is crucial for countries to protect the freedoms of diasporas from authoritarian regimes like Cambodia’s. These regimes, while emphasizing national sovereignty, engage in transnational repression that undermines democratic values in free countries.
International legitimacy should be denied to regimes that intimidate their diaspora members, and respect for dissenting voices should be a prerequisite for joining the global community.