Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has threatened to block Facebook in the country after quitting the platform, following a recommendation by Meta's Oversight Board that he be suspended for six months. The board cited a video in which Hun Sen called for violence against his political opponents, which was viewed 600,000 times.
Speaking to garment workers in Pursat province on Friday, Hun Sen warned he could block Facebook 'for a short period or forever' to prevent exiled opposition politicians from communicating with citizens. He urged Cambodians to migrate to Telegram and TikTok, platforms he has already joined.
Hun Sen's Facebook page had 14 million followers before he deleted it on Thursday. Critics allege his massive social media reach was partly due to bots or fake accounts. The Oversight Board's decision overturned an earlier Facebook ruling to keep the video online, citing 'newsworthiness'.
Human Rights Watch described the move as a 'face-off between Big Tech and a dictator over human rights issues'. Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson warned that 'plenty of real world harm is caused when an authoritarian uses social media to incite violence'.
Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia for over 38 years and faces allegations of human rights abuses and suppressing political opposition ahead of July's election. His sole credible challenger, the Candlelight Party, was disqualified in May, and opposition leader Kem Sokha was sentenced to 27 years house arrest for treason in March.
