Where is justice for Cambodia?

I cry out.

I cry out.

I cry out for the world to hear.

Where is justice for Cambodia?

⸻

Five points…

through which you destroyed us…

when you invaded Cambodia…

and forced us to accept them.

⸻

Imposing five conditions on Cambodia—

each one undermining national interests,

destroying sovereignty,

and eroding the dignity of the Khmer people—

cannot be considered a fair negotiation.

If Cambodia were to sign…

and accept those conditions…

it would mean Cambodia is knowingly accepting injustice,

and openly submitting to coercion.

⸻

A signature

is not merely technical…

not merely ceremonial.

It is a symbol of consent,

a responsibility to the nation,

and to history.

If a signature is made under pressure

or under threat,

it is not voluntary consent—

it is surrender.

This is no different from someone

striking us on the head with a hammer,

and forcing us to smile

and say…

“thank you.”

⸻

Justice cannot exist

when one party holds overwhelming power,

and uses that power

to force another party

to accept what it cannot accept.

⸻

From the perspective of international law,

any agreement formed under coercion

lacks legitimacy,

and will likely lead

to ongoing crises in the future.

World history has shown—

again and again—

that peace built on injustice

is false peace,

and cannot last.

⸻

For Cambodia,

accepting conditions that

destroy territory,

harm economic rights,

and place the nation under another country’s control

is a serious violation of sovereignty.

An independent country

has no true meaning

if its most important decisions

are made

under external pressure

and coercion.

⸻

Some may argue

that accepting these conditions

is necessary

to preserve peace…

to avoid conflict.

But peace purchased at the cost of dignity and justice

is not true peace.

It is only a delay—

a postponement

of a greater crisis,

one that will erupt

more violently in the future.

⸻

Justice for Cambodia

must be based on:

equal negotiation,

respect for territorial integrity,

respect for sovereignty,

adherence to international law,

and transparency toward the Cambodian people.

These are not excessive demands.

They are fundamental rights

of an independent nation

⸻

In the end,

the question is not:

“Should we agree or not?”

The real question is:

“Where is justice for Cambodia?”

If we accept injustice today,

we teach our children

to live under injustice tomorrow.

By:CHEA Chanboribo