Post 5

Human Rights Watch is an organization that investigates abuses happening around the world. HRW prepared a report for 2018 detailing human rights abuses that occurred in Cambodia. Opposition to the Cambodian government is not tolerated, even peaceful protest. There was an increase in political prisoners in 2018, and many fled the country to avoid the consequences of political opposition. Journalism is also under attack by the government. Any media posts that criticize the government can be forcibly removed, and journalists fear arrests or worse. Intimidation has forced Cambodians to stay silent on negative opinions of the government.

The United States has suspended aid to Cambodia for their “anti-democratic” actions. Multiple other countries have condemned the interference of Cambodia’s government in elections. The European Union has threatened sanctions and trade barriers against Cambodia until the country can get its act together. China and Japan have been supportive of Cambodia by providing large amounts of aid because the two countries are competing for influence in Cambodia.

Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey explains in her TEDxMaui talk how climate change can be related to human rights. Indigenous communities could teach us many lessons about how to live a fulfilling life and what is really important. Many of the indigenous people Dr. Lindsey references live on islands that face danger because of climate change. Rising sea levels put islands in danger of sinking. In addition, changing temperatures and weather negatively affect ecosystems which can reduce a population’s food supply. In the threat of natural disaster, indigenous people lack the resources to get to safety because they are often not considered official citizens of a country. Therefore, by not addressing climate change, people are being put in danger.

People in endangered cultures can teach us other ways of life. Wade Davis describes endangered cultures in his TED talk. Endangered cultures are decreasing at a rapid rate, and the language and values of the culture will soon be lost. The Elder Brothers are a group that describes others as the Younger Brothers who are blamed for destroying the earth. These groups are facing extinction for reasons they did not cause. The way of life of most endangered cultures does not contribute to climate change. However, they are the ones most at risk. Genocide is universally condemned, but ethnocide is wrongfully celebrated as a sign of changing times. Indigenous cultures should be preserved, not assimilated or exterminated.

Farish Noor describes eurocentrism as a step further than ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is viewing other cultures from the perspective of and in comparison to one’s own culture. Eurocentrism goes deeper to view cultures different from European culture as inferior and viewing differences as bad. Therefore, cultures that feel oppressed may retreat into solitude in an act of defense, which can be viewed as secretive and suspicious by leaders in eurocentric cultures. As a response, eurocentric cultures may further oppress cultures which can lead to retaliation and worsening relations on all sides. All cultures should be protected and cherished, not attacked or ranked.

• hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/cambodia
• youtube.com/watch?v=NrmZUqcVdow
• ted.com/talks/wade_davis_on_endangered_cultures
• aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/hope-cambodia-democracy-181113151712889.html