Phnom Penh: Citizens have expressed support for US action to open an investigation into the 11 May 2022 incident in which Cambodian-American Ouk Touch threw a shoe at the Cambodian Prime Minister.
Speaking at a meeting with the Samdech Techo Voluntary Youth Association at the Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, 17 May 2022, Prime Minister Hun Sen asked the United States administration, through the US Ambassador to Cambodia, to clarify whether the shoe-throwing incident is freedom of expression or violence.
He said, "If the United States considers this violent case as an act of freedom of expression, then it could happen anywhere around the world, including in Cambodia. so all opposition groups will be hit in the head by shoes. There will be no more rules in the world.”
Two days later, on Thursday 19 May, US Embassy spokesman Chad Roedemeier told EAC News that the United States would launch a thorough investigation into the 11 May incident.
He said, "The United States takes the safety and security of all diplomats and visiting dignitaries very seriously."
In connection with this case, the Cambodian people have expressed support and want to see the results to show the responsibility of the United States to foreign dignitaries who visit their territory.
A resident of Banteay Meanchey province said in a statement on condition of anonymity: "I support the US investigation, because the United States which is called the father of democracy and is inclined to legal actions so the United States must investigate, and the person must be arrested and punished, as the action cannot be excused, even if the United States says that it is a freedom of expression, if just call to apologize and all is forgiven, then millions of people will throw shoes at the head and just come to apologize and be gone.”
Another Cambodian living in Banteay Meanchey province also expressed a similar opinion: "I support this 100%, I want the United States to implement the law to see that person is guilty because I see the US ambassador. I support the United States to investigate and punish under US law. For example, American law states that those who throw, those with intention to do so, so if the law says go to jail for a number of years, must follow that, because the law of each country is different. But I would like to reiterate that if [that incident happened] in Cambodia, that person cannot do that, because it affects the honor of each individual.
Another resident living in Phnom Penh, Chum Veasna said, "When I saw the news that the United States would investigate this, I was happy. The reason I was happy because that person looked down on the Cambodian leader, I was happy to hear that the [administration] will take action on that. ”
Tuk-tuk driver Ouk Pha, "The problem of throwing [shoe] at the Prime Minister; the problem is on the law of the Father of Democracy (America). I urge the United States to take legal action against those who use violence."
Mey Samith, founder and executive director of the Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities in Phnom Penh, said, “It also affects the reputation of the United States because if there is no action on this incident, it means that the United States is weak in protecting and providing safety to the leaders of each country who are visiting. What if there are more incidents in the future and the United States take no action, then the leaders of ASEAN or the rest of the world will be weary in visiting the United States. So the United States should take action."
In connection with this investigation, many Cambodians have called on the United States to take legal action against Ouk Touch as a show of US concern for the protection of the invited foreign dignitaries.
A resident of Phnom Penh, Sok Vibol said, "I do not like the actions of Ouk Touch, an immoral person who acted on the Prime Minister and ask the United States to take action against this person and follow the law of the United States. I have a request to the United States, if there is another meeting, please the United States help protect the leadership even more securely."
Bun Leng, a 29-year-old resident of Phnom Penh said, "As a citizen, if we talk about the moral aspect, we can say that this activity is immoral. In the name of our country as a country with a glorious culture and good traditions regarding respect and value, not only for the leaders, but even ordinary people, this act we cannot accept… For the United States in general, they have their own laws and practices for different circumstances, it is their obligation as well as the rights of the country in which they are staying."
International Relations Student Samrech Amara said, "If the United States makes this shoe-throwing story more popular like this without doing anything, it is inappropriate, and it will not prove that the United States is a true democracy, and will not prove that the United States can provide real security for the people and the world."
President of the Samneang Music Association for the Disabled, Chap To said, "We all request the US administration to take action against Ouk Touch so that he can be held accountable because (the United States) is called the Father of Democracy, and if [they] do not take action, and if the next leadership goes to visit, and if it happens for the second or third time and so on, then ask how the United States can still use the word ‘Father of Democracy."
Cambodian-Americans also expressed disapproval of Ouk Touch's actions.
Kimberly Mingo, a Cambodian-American living in the United States, said that a freedom of expression only applies to oneself. It becomes a crime when it infringes on someone else's freedom. She gave various examples including graffiti art vs vandalism.
"I personally see it as an act of violence. Freedom of expression is where you have the ability to express yourself in some manner, but actually your freedom ends when it infringes on another person's freedom. So for example, an expression of freedom is a lot like art, you can tattoo yourself, you can get piercing, you can do your hair all different colors. That is freedom of expression. You can wear different clothes. That is freedom of expression. You can put together an art sculpture symbolizing something. That is freedom of expression, but the moment that you invade somebody else's personal space or touch somebody or affect that person in that way. That to me is violence. That is assault. Even though the shoe didn't hit the Prime Minister, the fact that he was aiming to hit the Prime Minister can be considered assault.”
According to American attorney and Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, Daniel Richman, Title 18, Section 112 of the U.S. Code offers special protection for “foreign officials, official guests, and internationally protected persons.” Whoever “assaults, strikes, wounds, imprisons, or offers violence” against one of these people can be fined, face imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
“Assault” under common law covers not only the attempt to inflict harm, but also placing someone under the reasonable apprehension of harm, so shoe-throwing might count. If a lenient jury decides that throwing a shoe and missing does not quite rise to the level of assault, they might find the perpetrator guilty of coercing or harassing a foreign official, or obstructing the official in the performance of his duties. These lesser offenses carry a sentence of not more than six months in prison or a fine.
The Cambodian people look forward to the result of the United States' investigation into this case in order to show concern for its official guests, as well as to compensate for the Cambodian national dignity that Ouk Touch insulted.
