Cambodian Human Rights Party leader Kem Sokha greets his supporters in front of his party's logo upon arriving at the National Olympic stadium during the first new party congress in Phnom Penh July 22, 2007. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea2007-07-22
AP
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: A prominent human rights activist once jailed for criticizing Cambodia's prime minister moved directly into the political arena Sunday (July 22nd) by launching his own party.
Kem Sokha, 54, unveiled his Human Rights Party at a well-attended congress, making it the latest political force trying to challenge the iron grip on power of Prime Minister Hun Sen and his ruling Cambodian People's Party at the next general election scheduled for July 2008.
The Sam Rainsy Party is the only opposition force in Parliament against Hun Sen, while the royalist Funcinpec party, which once was a significant rival, is a partner in Hun Sen's government and has been significantly weakened by its own internal disputes.
One of the goals of the Human Rights Party is "to raise the living standard of the people and change Cambodia into a society that offers equal choices and opportunities for every citizen in seeking their future," Kem Sokha said in an opening speech at his party congress, which organizers claimed was attended by some 10,000 supporters.
Kem Sokha has a long-standing reputation for advocating social justice and fighting against corruption and human rights abuses.
He used to be a lawmaker of the now-defunct Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party, one of the challengers to Hun Sen's party in the 1990s. After his party was dissolved, Kem Sokha joined the royalist Funcinpec party and became one of its senators before resigning the post to create the Cambodian Center for Human Rights in late 2002.
Some other well-known political figures joining Kem Sokha's party include Pen Sovann, former prime minister of a communist Cambodian government in the early 1980s; Keo Remy, former lawmaker of the Sam Rainsy Party; and Son Soubert, the son of former Cambodian statesman Son Sann, who founded the defunct Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party in the early 1990s.
Early last year, Kem Sokha was jailed for several weeks along with two other human rights workers, a union leader and a journalist on criminal charges of defaming the prime minister.
Hun Sen ordered their release following strong international condemnation of his government's repressive action.
The new party's first order of business Sunday was to discussing its platform and structure, and it was also expected to formally elect Kem Sokha as its president, organizers said.
Kem Sokha, 54, unveiled his Human Rights Party at a well-attended congress, making it the latest political force trying to challenge the iron grip on power of Prime Minister Hun Sen and his ruling Cambodian People's Party at the next general election scheduled for July 2008.
The Sam Rainsy Party is the only opposition force in Parliament against Hun Sen, while the royalist Funcinpec party, which once was a significant rival, is a partner in Hun Sen's government and has been significantly weakened by its own internal disputes.
One of the goals of the Human Rights Party is "to raise the living standard of the people and change Cambodia into a society that offers equal choices and opportunities for every citizen in seeking their future," Kem Sokha said in an opening speech at his party congress, which organizers claimed was attended by some 10,000 supporters.
Kem Sokha has a long-standing reputation for advocating social justice and fighting against corruption and human rights abuses.
He used to be a lawmaker of the now-defunct Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party, one of the challengers to Hun Sen's party in the 1990s. After his party was dissolved, Kem Sokha joined the royalist Funcinpec party and became one of its senators before resigning the post to create the Cambodian Center for Human Rights in late 2002.
Some other well-known political figures joining Kem Sokha's party include Pen Sovann, former prime minister of a communist Cambodian government in the early 1980s; Keo Remy, former lawmaker of the Sam Rainsy Party; and Son Soubert, the son of former Cambodian statesman Son Sann, who founded the defunct Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party in the early 1990s.
Early last year, Kem Sokha was jailed for several weeks along with two other human rights workers, a union leader and a journalist on criminal charges of defaming the prime minister.
Hun Sen ordered their release following strong international condemnation of his government's repressive action.
The new party's first order of business Sunday was to discussing its platform and structure, and it was also expected to formally elect Kem Sokha as its president, organizers said.
21 comments:
Kem Sokha shall listen and listen hard to people who knew true colour of Son Sann and family.
Son Sann was also not far from Kong Korm or Pen Sovann when Cochinchine was annexed in 1949 to Viet Nam Cong San then.
Son Soubert is no help but a rotten aristocrat with no real job and resume in all his youth life.
Mark this word, Have Son Soubert is no gain,or lose him is nothing loss. He is a man who advoctaed for his own interests since 80's.
Having been not a one trainer elephant himself,Kem Sokha should watch for the rogues of his left and right.
Hardcore KRPK Kong Korm monitors accomplice Raingsy and now Hanoi once favorite son Pen Sovann monitors dongkov chenh pee sach Sokha while Hun Sen, a pawn of Le Duc Tho, terrorizes Nam Tien and Miens.
As we enter this critical era, yet another power-hungry loser forays into politics.
Friendly advice: The only winning move is not to play.
Congratulation to HRP. You are the one in my mind and all Cambodians minds.Go fight for.Don't listen to all chickens and dogs barking.
HRP is not the independant party
because we know very well two new
members of HRP is that :
- Mr Chan Ven (he is CPP member and
was Minister of Education during
Youn domination in Cambodia 1979-1989).
-Mr Pen Sovann is always Youn spy
(he is released by Youn Hanoi in
1992 after 10years in jail at his
house in Hanoi)
Chan Ven and Pen Sovann are Youn
servant and Youn spy. They also
belong to CPP (Communist Pro youn Party).
Mr Kem Sokha had tendance to
CPP(Communist Pro youn Party) too
So HRP is not really an independant
party or really brings Democracy to
Cambodia people
Yeah, IRI brings democracy to Cambodia
People. But not Kem Sokha.
Kem Sokha stole from IRI, now he will steal democracy from Cambodia.
Everyone in Phnom Penh knows he is corrupt, and that he only cares about power. He does whatever Ah Hun Sen tells him to do, and now he makes the new party so that he takes away votes from Sam Rainsy.
You all are fucking up!
let people who try doing it!
HRP start with a right step is to make right democracy system!
In our situation right now, we lost trust of eachother, so we can not depend on any person but a good system and rulle of law
HRP is bringing this system of real demoncracy to Cambodian now and let all kind of Cambodian comme to prove it!
Person like Pensovan, he the one who know the Viet more than any Khmere alive, we should allow him to come to help[ us as long as he abey the law
let law controle people not people controle! let people have second change before you say then bad!
In world history like Atola who free the TATAR and lead the Tartar to ruled Russia for 100 of years
HRP party has appeared with unclear hope for its future. I can predict that HRP will not get any seat for this coming 2008 election.
As I have observed, Ung Hout party was very popular and had more money than HRP, but Ung Hout party in that time got nothing in its election.
Two popular things in Cambodia for political parties: royalist and old experienced parties. For example, Funcipec won election in 2003 even though it was new because it was royalist. The rests are old with experienced parties that can gain popularity and trust from the people..for example CPP and SRP.
So whoever that are supporting HRP will has less hope I think. But one important thing is that the emerge of HRP only confuses Cambodian people and the CPP will win the election.
It has only one solution for those who are actual loving democracy that they have to be able to ally and bond together especially SRP+NRP+HRP
Now the strongest democratic and opposition party in Cambodia is SRP and it is the hope for next government of Cambodia.
KY
HRP just suck some votes from SRP and FUNCIPEC. Then allow CPP to win smoothly.
Unless these three party join together, then they may win in 2008 election though chance are small.
However, people never trust Ranarith who is law teacher, but so corrupted and BETRAY their beloved partners.
Congradulations HRP!!!!!!!
You will win some seats. A lot of people in Cambodia support you.
5:56AM If HRP will suck some votes from SRP that mean some thing wrong with this Party.If without HRP, SR will win 50+1.No way rose.I agreed 3 parties join together,but how?.Show me some formula.
Congratulation to HRP,you done the right step for Cambodia.
If talking about politic some of my friends and I are alway in dilemma. We doubt that Kem SK might be a tool of current leader (hs). However, based on his past jobs, ks seemed good in democracy and human right revolution and promotion.
It might be sure that if KS is not a tool of HS, his party might be merged to SRP soon or later.
Everyone should now start to forget/exclude or ignore Funcipec and NRP.
LHP
To people who support Kem Sokha: ask any of the employees of CCHR what they really think of Kem Sokha.
If you do this, you will understand why he only cares about power and money, and that he is working for Ah Hun Sen.
No doubt, Kem Sokha is the puppet of CPP. He has no will to bring the real demogracy to the cambodian people. His stupid party is just to break some votes from SRP and help CPP to get win easily.
Fuck HRP!
Go to help Kem Sokha!
You will have no seat in the 2008 election.
People know very well who you are.
Dear all khmers,
Please remember this:
Kem Sokha is the puppet of HUN SEN.
HUN SEN is the boss of Kem Sokha.
This is a forular for merging the three party, CPP is like a three men show but why don't we creat another 5 or 7 men show party. One president, two or three vice president and/or honorary president.
The only problem that shouldn't happen is don't fight for the presidential post. Or, like the CPP, if you are president of the party, don't stance for a priministership...
This is the only problem becuase all the party president in Cambodia never realized that they are weak in term of leadership, unification etc...
It is the sole reason why our Coutry is still ranked the least developed one.
Khemara
PPenh
All of you whose minds are ficked up by SRP.
Ask yourself what da fick has ah Rainsy has done good to Cambodia? The existence of SRP is not because of the leadership nor intelligence of ah Rainsy who recieved a fiaked frencch education systemm but the advantage of FUNCINPEC and CPP due to their fight each other azzz until Funcinpec falls on the ground. That gives a boost to SRP. The real question is if SRP has the leadership and intelligence to stand agaigst CPP? the answer to this question is "NO" since ah Rainsick has no match with ah kwack Hun Sick in any form, any shape or in any field of battle.
So shut your mouth about any other new formed party. Averyone has equal chance of giving a try. So let him try his best, OK?
regarding a joint of SRP and HRP, how can that happen if all of you foollower of SRP and HRP faxk up each other like this?
BUDDA BLESH CAMBODIA!!
MAY ALL CAMBODIANS UNITED!!
Wild Tiger
"As we enter this critical era, yet another power-hungry loser forays into politics.
Friendly advice: The only winning move is not to play."
This sounds like a bitter SRP intimidated by the HRP.
Take this people:
1. it looks like HRP is going strongly forward, no discouragement or stupid tricks from SRP or anyone can do anything to HRP's confidence. If SRP has some sense, it should do all it can to collaborate with HRP, otherwise, Rainsy and SRP will cry like skinny little monkeys in Wat Phnom after 2008 election results.
2. we all know damn well Kem Sokha is not working for CPP, so with SRP trying to label him with this, it only makes SRP seem desparate and paranoid.
3. the CPP, being very meticulous and smart, recognizes that Kem Sokha has a lot of support from people in Cambodia, they know that HRP can win either the same or more seats than SRP in 2008. That is why CPP wants to befriend Kem Sokha.
3. we all and SRP need to recognize that HRP is going to be a big player in 2008, 20 to 35 seats. The "friendly advise: the only winning move (for HRP)is not to play" attitude and the downgrading talking of HRP from SRP is not going to slow donw HRP momentum and not helping SRP at all.
If SRP is smart they need to recognize a real threat from HRP and try to fix it, or else in 2008 SRP and Rainsy is fucked!
Now, that is a friendly advise to SRP.
Another 100 years for CPP!
HRP has no potential at all for the election...SRP no need to worry about HRP. It is admirable that Rainsy doesn't abuse KS and talk in flexible way to open door for HRP to eleborate if KS is not HS's puppet and actually love democracy..
The above mentioned, is fucking stupid. You have eyes, but no vision. You have brain, but no thoughtful.
I dare bet, Kem Sokha is the real puppet of CPP. Wait and see the result of the 2008 election. CPP is very happy to see this new party, because it help to devide the opposition votes.
At the end he will be condemned by khmer people.
Well, Mr. Kem, since you don't know what the fuck you're doing, I guess it is alright, although you're a new player (perhaps will be the biggest loser) in the game. However, if you still insist in foraying into political arena, first and foremost, I'd like to take your daughter to the Spark Club, or perhaps somewhere along the Mekong River.
Welcome to the XO-and-Blue club!
Certainly, the French and Scotch made us work harder for our country (Cambodia).
Here’s your (yet another) friendly advice from your old friend: “The only winning move is not to play.”
Cheers!
you SRP losers will have to swallow your words after 2008. Hate them or love them, HRP will beat SRP in the elections, no doubt. It's quite obvious SRP is scared of HRP, Rainsy is probably shitting his pants right now. He and you suckers can do all the trash talking to reassure yourself, but you all are aware that SRP is going down! Ask yourself, "Am I frightened that HRP will win more seats than SRP? Am I scared to death knowing that HRP will take at least half of the votes from SRP?". You know the answer to that is YES.
you guys think this bashing would discourage HRP or people from supporting HRP, what you dont know is most people reading your craps like here in KI media are your own fuckin SRP people and some khmers abroad. Most local cambodians dont even get to hear you guys bark!
haha!
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