Mu Sochua, an activist and former politician in Cambodia, came to URI to speak on human rights. PHOTO CREDIT: outoftheboxpodcast.com
Featuring Cambodian politician and activist Mu Sochua, the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies hosted a lecture on Oct. 26 entitled “Nonviolent Activism: Protecting Freedom and Human Rights in Cambodia.”
The center’s lecture series gives prominent international speakers a platform to share their experiences with nonviolence and aspirations for peace. Sochua, this year’s guest speaker for Nonviolent Activism, focused on the ongoing struggle for human rights and democracy in Cambodia.
For over 25 years, Sochua has been an advocate for peaceful political change. She was first the minister of Women and Veteran Affairs in Cambodia, as well as a member of Parliament. In 2005, she received the Leadership Award from the Vital Voices Foundation for her work towards women’s rights, as stated in the flier for the lecture. The flier also notes that she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize that same year for her work against human trafficking.
In addition, Sochua was Vice President of the now banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) — a group who believed in the reinstitution of free and fair elections. As Sochua explained in the lecture, the Cambodian government has arrested many members of the CNRP.
Sochua introduced herself as “a traitor… to serve 36 years in prison” following the lecture’s opening statement. Because of her outspoken efforts against communism, the Cambodian government would charge her with treason if she were to return to the country. Advocating for change firsthand in Cambodia would lead her to face a similar fate as other CNRP members, according to Sochua.
Sochua continues to campaign for the end of corruption and oppression in Cambodia by bringing awareness to the country’s situation. Throughout the lecture, Sochua urged attendees to explore all avenues for peace.
“We cannot take democracy and human rights for granted,” Sochua said. “We must fight for it.”
The renowned advocate demonstrated the urgency of Cambodia’s condition by looking back through history, detailing the tragic events in the country’s near history.
In the lecture, Sochua described her own experiences with losing human rights. After her parents disappeared in 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia, she lived through “three years, eight months and 20 days” of genocide and communism.
These “years of terror,” depicted by Sochua, were characterized by a lack of education, individuality, and freedom. However, Cambodia saw a new beginning following the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement in 1991.
During this time, people walked with the country’s Buddhist monks throughout the newly free streets.
“It was. . . a pure [and] beautiful moment. Everywhere had hope,” Sochua said.
These peace walks were Sochua’s first experience with peaceful activism. According to Sochua, these moments showed that opposition groups had power and strength in nonviolence. People “walked with patience, understanding [and] compassion,” the advocate said.
Nearing the end of the lecture, Sochua focused on working towards rebuilding Cambodia. Sochua explained that the country has issues concerning freedom of expression, and described how Cambodia’s problems with poverty, politically motivated killings and corruption are ongoing. Achieving democracy in Cambodia is a major goal for the human rights advocate.
Sochua warned that unresolved corruption in Cambodia will result in the complete loss of the country’s true identity.
“You cannot rebuild a soul once it is destroyed,” Sochua repeated. “[Cambodian citizens] will lose their soul[s].”
Thupten Tendhar, who coordinated the Nonviolent Activism lecture, hopes that Sochua’s message will “share wisdom” and promote “positive social change” in Cambodia. Tendhar is also a specialist at the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, and seeks out renowned speakers for the lecture each year.
Born to Tibetan parents, Tendhar’s family experienced communism firsthand. Through his experiences and training, Tendhar sees strength and importance in peaceful activism.
“We all have a responsibility to learn about what is happening around the world,” Tendhar said.
The Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies aims to give listeners a “deeper understanding” about efforts for peace worldwide, and in turn create a “benevolent community” at URI.
Sochua encouraged members of the URI community to be part of her movement for peace by continuing to spread the word.
“The journey for peace [is] very long, and still unfinished,” Sochua said.
Sochua’s organization, Courage Fund Cambodia, can be found at https://couragefundcambodia.org.