TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate, has strongly criticized the intervention of developed countries in the internal affairs of developing nations, particularly Cambodia.
He argued that many developed countries exploit the vulnerabilities of developing nations facing challenges such as poverty. Hun Sen urged these nations to understand the difficulties faced by developing countries and provide genuine support. Furthermore, he called for an end to their interference, specifically in Cambodia's affairs.
"We do not want to see interference in our internal affairs," Hun Sen stated during a public lecture at the ERIA School of Government in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
He believes that developed countries often capitalize on the limited capacity and institutional resources of developing nations. He further alleged that these countries frequently attempt to incite unrest by supporting extremist ideologies aimed at overthrowing governments through undemocratic means.
"We seek constructive support, not efforts to diminish, impede, or obstruct the development path we have chosen," said Hun Sen, who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia from 1985 to 2023.
He emphasized that history has repeatedly demonstrated the futility of intervention, particularly citing military force used to impose political regime change or other forms of government.
He further asserted that intervention often leads to increased loss of life, human suffering, and the escalation of social and economic conflicts. "Cambodia is a real example, having endured one of the most devastating and regrettable tragedies," he stated.
He noted that external interference continues to be a global issue, citing recent events in Afghanistan and Bangladesh as crucial lessons in respecting national sovereignty and the right of nations to self-determination.
Hun Sen also stressed that both large and small countries possess unique characteristics shaped by their history, culture, traditions, way of life, and political systems.
"They should not be subjected to unilateral sanctions, prohibitions, economic actions, or other forms of coercion that violate international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter," he declared.
The conflicts in Cambodia, including the Cambodian Civil War (1970-1975) and the Cambodian-Vietnamese War (1979-1989), were marked by power struggles, foreign intervention, and the devastating impact of the Khmer Rouge regime. The Cambodian-Vietnamese War, triggered by Vietnam's intervention to overthrow the Khmer Rouge, resulted in genocide and the collapse of Pol Pot's regime.
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