This October 23 marks 30 years after four Cambodian warring factions agreed to end their conflicts and bring peace, development, and respect for human rights to their war-torn country. But in the last four years, the Cambodian government has violated the core principles of democracy. Prime Minister Hun Sen, with a strong backing from China, has taken advantage of the shaky foundation of democracy and turned the country into a one-party rule after banning the only viable opposition party. Former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, a key initiator of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement, has urged Cambodian people to remain optimistic and educate young people about the country’s past and the way forward. VOA Khmer reporter Men Kimseng interviewed Gareth Evans via Skype on the challenges ahead for Cambodia.