Khieu Vicheanon

To: The Government of Sweden Stockholm
Subject: An Appeal from a Cambodian Citizen on the Sale of Gripen Jets to Thailand

Dear Respected Leaders of Sweden, Human Rights Defenders

I am writing to you not as a politician, but as an ordinary Cambodian citizen who longs for peace and sustainable development.

For many years, Sweden has been known in Cambodia as a friend and a motivator of human rights and a defender of people in desperate need. That is why it pains me to see the news of Sweden’s decision to sell Gripen fighter jets to Thailand. These weapons may not only strengthen Thailand’s air force but also increase the danger for my people living near the border and beyond.

Innocent Cambodian families already suffer from conflicts. Children, the elderly, and farmers who only want to live quietly in their villages are caught in the middle whenever violence happens. The sale of such powerful weapons makes our fears greater, not smaller. It feels like Sweden’s actions do not match the values of peace and human dignity that it has always spoken about.

I kindly ask you to reconsider this decision. Please do not let Swedish technology and resources become tools of destruction in our region. Instead, I hope Sweden will use its influence to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and cooperation between neighbors.

Sweden has always been respected for standing on the side of humanity. I pray that you will show the world once again that your country’s commitment to peace is stronger than the pull of profit or politics.

With hope and respect,
Vicheanon KHIEU
A Cambodian citizen

តាមការទស្សន៍ទាយ ដោយប្រើញាណប្បភាសរបស់ខ្ញុំ បុរសម្នាក់ក្នុងរូបនេះ អាយុមិនវែងទេ។ ដូច្នេះ បងប្អូនមិនបាច់ជេរគាត់ក៏បានដែរ ព្រោះថាមពលចក្រវាល ប្រាប់ច្បាស់ណាស់។

ការគាំទ្ររបស់ប្រជាជនកម្ពុជា ចំពោះសំណើនេះ គឺចេញពីបេះដូងស្មោះ។