Spotlight hits Chea over torch rally snub

By Shaun Inguanzo
HUMAN rights lobbyists have lashed out at Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea after he refused to participate in an anti-Chinese Government protest.
Cr Chea this week told Star he wanted to protect the ties Greater Dandenong had formed with Chinese sister city Xuzhou.
The Human Rights Torch Relay is a global event that aims to expose human rights abuse in China in the lead-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
On Monday the torch came through Springvale and was carried by Greens candidate for Hotham, Matthew Billman.
Both Mr Billman and Victorian ambassador for the relay, former Olympic swimmer Jan Becker, this week criticised Cr Chea and his colleagues for failing to attend the Springvale leg and show their support for the cause.
The 63-year-old Ms Becker said Cr Chea attended the funeral of a suspected Tamil Tiger member in April, upsetting the Sri Lankan community.
But, she said, he did not have the courage to stand up to the Chinese Government and highlight human rights abuses.
“I reminded the mayor of his heritage being Cambodian,” she said about her discussions with Cr Chea.
Cr Chea fled Cambodia for Australia during the genocidal Pol Pot regime.
“I told him I hadn’t forgotten about human rights atrocities but he obviously had,” Ms Becker said
“I also questioned why it was okay for him to go and support the Tamil Tigers while he won’t stand up for this.”
Cr Chea told Star he believed his decision was in the best interest of the city’s Chinese-origin residents, and its econmic ties with China.
“At the moment we have a good relationship with the People’s Republic of China,” he said.
“We have a sister city tie between the City of Greater Dandenong and Xuzhou, and the friendship is very close.
“And also the majority of the (Chinese-Australian community in Greater Dandenong) support the consular general of China.
“So it is very hard for me as mayor of Greater Dandenong to do something (like the relay).
“I need to think about the city council before myself.”
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades said she had planned to attend the relay and the only thing stopping her was an appointment she had committed to prior to the relay invitation.
“If the mayor did not want to attend then I think that is all right,” she said.
Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown said the relay was a global political protest – not an issue that local government should become involved in.
“I think residents expect councillors to focus on their own backyard rather than international politicking,” he said.