THE two Cambodian opposition activists being held in detention are expected to be resettled in another country, said the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

Commissioner Jerald Joseph said the duo, one of whom is an asylum seeker, are currently at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport holding centre.

“They are waiting to be processed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to be temporarily resettled in another country,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The Cambodians were arrested on Monday night, and had been due to be deported to their home country the following day.

However, the Home Ministry and Immigration Department have withdrawn the deportation order following an appeal by Suhakam.

Human Rights Watch deputy director for Asia Phil Robertson said the detainees are members of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), which has been outlawed by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s administration.

He said sending the duo back could put them “at risk of serious human rights violations”.

Joseph said two officers from Suhakam’s complaints division visited the detainees on Tuesday night.

“(The officers) confirmed that (the detainees) are being treated decently, and there is no coercion for them to say or do anything.”

He said he hopes UNHCR will be able to find a temporary country for the two soon.

Cambodia has arrested at least 48 opposition activists this year for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government before the planned return from self-exile of Sam Rainsy, founder of the now-dissolved CNRP, this weekend.

Sam Rainsy, who has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail time for convictions that he says are politically motivated, has promised a dramatic homecoming on Saturday, in conjunction with Cambodia’s Independence Day.

Hun Sen has repeatedly said arrest warrants issued against his arch-rival have been sent to neighbouring countries, and troops have been deployed at the Thai-Cambodian border to stop his return. – November 7, 2019.