Oversight board recommends Facebook suspend Cambodian premier's account for violent language
A quasi-independent review board recommends that Facebook temporarily suspend the social media accounts of Cambodia's prime minister
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A quasi-independent review board recommended Thursday that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Facebook and Instagram accounts be suspended for six months for using language that could incite violence.
The Oversight Board established by Meta, Facebook’s parent company, issued its non-binding ruling in a 26-page report. It would overturn a decision by Facebook’s moderators to allow to stand a video on Premier Hun Sen’s Facebook page of a January speech in which he decried opposition politicians who accused his ruling party of stealing votes.
“There are only two options. One is to use legal means and the other is to use a stick,” the prime minister said in the video. “Either you face legal action in court, or I rally (the Cambodian) People’s Party people for a demonstration and (to) beat you up.” His remarks were spoken on Facebook Live and kept online as a video.
The board said its reached its recommendation to suspend his accounts due in part to "Hun Sen's history of committing human rights violations and intimidating political opponents, as well as his strategic use of social media to amplify such threats.”
