For the Brussels-based EU institutions, these results mean two things: the lobbying of the Cambodian opposition – which started last autumn – will increase, and the European External Action Service (EEAS) is now asked to implement the last aspects of the EP Urgent Resolution on Cambodia from December of 2017.

Daraan Kravanh, the president of the the Khmer Anti-Poverty Part (KAPP), the only party critical of the current government, which has remained in power for 33 years, published his conclusions: “Ten points never to forget”.

1. We have been naive – we thought that in our country there would still be a small space for democracy. We were wrong, totally wrong.

2. The parliament elections of 29 July 2018 are one of the darkest moments of democracy: an authoritarian and repressive government shows that the hopes and wishes of the population are of no concern, these elections are a betrayal of the popular will.

3. With these fraudulent elections our country had made itself ridiculous in the eyes of the international community.

4. Who in the world will believe that the participation in these elections has been 80%, while the polling station were never really crowded?

5. Who in the world will believe that an election campaign can be considered as free and fair after having forbidding opposition parties and forcing senior opposition party leadership to flee abroad?

6. Who in the world will believe that the cry of a population had been heard in a climate of fear, with arresting of opponents, closing of independent media, locking up journalists and those working for civil society groups and using the courts and security forces to crush dissent and intimidate critics?

7. Who in the world will believe that in a highly repressive political environment elections had been free and fair, where government officials were systematically mobilized to intimidate voters, threatening workers in the factories with loosing their jobs, cutting off water and electricity, or even be evicted from their homes, if they did not vote?

8. Who in the world will believe that an election is free and fair, if prior to the election, major news websites, including Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Voice of Democracy, and the Phnom Penh Post were blocked by the government’s Information Ministry?

9. This is the end of the road for democracy in Cambodia, though the development has been authoritarian for years. As Cambodia will lack after these elections a legitimate government, the international community will increase their actions.The European Union, the US, Australia and other key players have already – or will do after these elections – decided on denial of visa, freezing of assets and other sanctions on the leadership of Cambodia.

10. Who in the world is able to believe that this mockery of democracy which made our country a de facto one-party state will be accepted by the population and by the international community?

The post Election results in Cambodia might trigger political action in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

The first obstacle lies with the flight. It is not the cheapest flight ever: from Brussels, tickets with Qatar Airways or Fly Emirates cost around 1000€. Plan B: if you are nuts, like me, you can always travel for more than 20 hours, change 4 times airports and experience different jet lags for a short period of time.

Trip, check! Time to discover Cambodia

You will land in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Although it’s not the main touristic attraction,  the Cambodian capital will immediately drive you to another planet. Traffic jam, thousands and thousands of tuk-tuks will be the first visit card right after you exit the airport. Welcome to Phnom Penh.

If you stay a couple of days, you should visit the National Museum and the Royal Palace. Both buildings are tremendously inspiring.  In order to understand the recent Cambodian history, namely the Khmer rouge regime, you should visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing fields. Both are located outside the city centre, where the slaughters used to happen.

When it comes to taste the traditional Khmer food (Khmer are the ethnic majority in Cambodia – 96%), I recommend two restaurants. If you are looking for a fancy place, you should go to Malis. Although it is quite expensive compared to other Cambodian restaurants, it is still acceptable from your perspective (you can enjoy a very good meal for about 15/20€).

For a more typical local experience, I advice you to go to Romping. This restaurant, run by an NGO, will offer you the possible to discover the real bread and butter of traditional Khmer food.

The Phnom-Penh nightlife should also be in your agenda. Happy 11 is definitely a must-go with its incredible rooftop where you can party all night long. Be aware that at some point the rooftop will become blur. Or your view. It’s a question of perspective.

But Phnom-Penh only should be your first step, as the country offers you many possibilities both to discover another culture as well as to relax. The main attraction of Cambodia is of course Angkor.

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.

A 3-day pass will allow you to discover a very significant part of this site for 62$, and a tuk-tuk can take you wherever you want for about 20$/day.

Angkor is also known for the production of rice.

Butterfly Tours, an NGO run by students, will take you on bike tour for a morning or a full day to different sites around Siam-Reap, the main city of the region. You will understand how the traditional rice is cropped, and how the local baskets and rice wines are made. As most of the traditional touristic attractions are managed by foreigners or big companies, these sorts of tours will guarantee that your money will be delivered to the locals.

The Angkor workshops will finally provide you with a short view on the traditional art and local handicraft in the region.

If you really need to relax, Chez Moi Residence is a very good place to stay. It is quite fancy but the prices are acceptable. You can enjoy the swimming-pool and Cambodian massages there.

Still not convinced about Cambodia?

The post From Brussels to Cambodia: 20 hours, 4 airports and multiple jet lags but worth it appeared first on Brussels Express.