Opinion ID: 202247
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Involvement with Organizations in Cambodia

Text: 9 The Board found, among other things, that petitioners had no political affiliations of their own. Both Sou and Srey testified that they were never members of any organization while they were in Cambodia. However, there is evidence that they had at least tangential association with three organizations. 10 First, Sou testified that he joined the army in 1971 to fight against the Communists in support of the government then in power, which was led by Lon Nol. His involvement in the army ended when the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975. He believes that those who fought against the Communists are viewed by the current government as opponents who are especially dangerous when they engage in political activity. Sou stated in his application that he fears arrest, disappearance, and death as a result of his former military involvement. 11 Second, Sou testified that he was a close friend of a man named Nou Uth Buntha, who the government would later charge and convict as a terrorist. Sou met Buntha through a neighbor in 1996 and they became close friends. He and his wife regularly socialized with him and, for some period of time, Buntha visited their home once or twice a month. Their conversations sometimes turned to politics, and Sou knew that Buntha was a member of a political party that was, at least for some period of time, opposed to the ruling party. Sou did not know, one way or the other, whether Buntha was a member of the CFF. 12 In December 2000, Sou learned from a Cambodian newspaper that Buntha had been arrested for being a part of an attempt by the CFF to overthrow the government. 6 He was convicted and apparently sentenced to a prison term of 20 years. 7 After learning of the arrest, Sou became worried that he would be arrested, and destroyed all pictures and letters in his possession that would link him to Buntha. Sou testified that, as far as he knows, Buntha was never released, was not given a fair trial, and probably was killed by the government. Sou also testified that he has never been a member of the CFF or participated in its activities. However, he testified that he fears that the Cambodian government has imputed or will impute the political beliefs of Buntha or the CFF to him because of their friendship, and that the government will cause him to be arrested, imprisoned without trial, or killed. 13 Third, Sou testified that, by 1998, he had become interested in the SRP. He conceded that he was not a member of the SRP and was never active in [SRP] activities while in Cambodia, although he had donated some money and medicine to the party. There is no evidence as to when he made this donation, or in what amount. Sou became a member of the SRP sometime after he left Cambodia. 8 According to background information in the record, there have been documented cases of government abuses directed toward SRP activists and candidates, including harassment, threats of death and of loss of citizenship documents, and the withholding of routine services. Some SRP activists have been killed under suspicious circumstances. Sou believes that SRP supporters are at risk generally for arrest, detention, and death.