Thursday, June 19, 2008

Civil society reactions to the court request to lift Sam Rainsy’s immunity

18 June 2008
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hedbo
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the original article in French


Several observers fear that this affair may hamper the good progress of the July general election, by creating an atmosphere detrimental to the election campaign.

Several members of the civil society, in charge of observing the progress of the upcoming election, do not hide their concerns about the request made by the prosecutor of the Phnom Penh municipal court to lift Sam Rainsy’s immunity.

This was done to provoke a general panic among the voters and the activists before the election,” Kul Panha, Comfrel executive director, underscored while condemning the lawsuits brought up against politicians, especially when close to the election. “The government must be the only guarantor for the holding of free and equitable election,” Kul Panha said while adding that he will follow this case very closely.

Kul Panha’s opinion is also shared by Seng Theary, the director of the Center for Social Development (CSD). To her, the fact that a member of the government brings a lawsuit against his political opponent is nothing but a political plot. “Politics is mixed up with the law still. In actual democratic countries, people do not dare lift the immunity of a MP, much less that of an opposition MP,” Seng Theary said.

Puthea Hang, executive director of NICFEC, another organization in charge of controlling the election, said that he was “very worried about the political atmosphere.” All this seems to indicate that the ruling party does not want to see any opposition party leaders participating in the general election.

Nevertheless, Tep Nitha, secretary-general of the National Election Committee (NEC), sees in this affair nothing more than a “personal dispute” between Hor Namhong and Sam Rainsy. However, he conceded: “This more or less affects the progress of the election because the person involved is a candidate. But, this depends on the National Assembly and the justice system, both of which are independent from the NEC,” Tep Nitha explained.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Phnom Penh municipal court is the most corruption court, is belonging to Corruption People Party (CPP).

Anonymous said...

Instead being a ruler,Hun Sen wants blood to wash his own crimes.

Anonymous said...

They don't really care about the future of the country as long they can drive their Lexus around Phnom Penh. It's very sad that these people who suppose to be an example to the Khmer people has no pride, no shame, no honor. Their thirst for power and money make is the only drive in their life.

Anonymous said...

Everyone said that CPP is corrupted and bad. Now it is your time to get inside there and see what is the real thing. If you are in SRP, you cannot do anything but swearing. Now you can get in CPP and do the work. Remember, you can always run away from the CPP if it is as bad as you think. Now I call on other SRP members to jion CPP and help the country. After you join and you think you don't like or you think the CPP is bad, then you can get out and you can testify how bad the CPP is. Now you are not in CPP, you don't know the reality. Please just give a month or so in CPP so you can see if it is bad or good.

If you respond to this message don't swear because I am also a khmer like you. It is just that I have a different idea.

-Silence Dogood

Anonymous said...

They are in power for almost 20 years, and Cambodia is one of the most corrupt country in the world, the Viet and the Siam is stealing our land. They need a couple of month to change things, man get real.
You don't have any idea how the Khmer overseas are frustrated against that guy.

Anonymous said...

Luk Bunhean, You may remember well about mr. Phun Pheap in 1997, after finishing your job for Hun Sen, you will be killed by Hun Sen' bodyguards.

Anonymous said...

Tep Nitha Chea Swa Bim Khdo Ah Hun Sen. Ah Chke Boreu Youn Honoi indirectly.

Anonymous said...

No speacial treatment under rule of law.

Anonymous said...

You don't have any idea how the Khmer overseas are frustrated against that guy.

Dear 8:16 AM;

Khmer overseas are doing nothing for the country but critics. If we Khmer overseas are really love the country that much we would contribute and give due rspects to the country instead of sreaming and bias.

Anonymous said...

It the INFamous Khmer version "win-win strategy" of the CPP.