Original reports from Phnom Penh and Washington
16 July 2008
At least four people have been killed in three incidents during the election campaign, the Committee for Free and Fair Elections said in a report released Tuesday.
"We have seen many killings and intimidation and threats during the two weeks of election campaigning, which is a serious concern for us," said Comfrel Executive Director Koul Panha.
Cambodian People's Party activist Soth Song was killed in Kampong Speu July 1; CPP activist Lon Chork was killed in Kampong Chhnang July 6; and an opposition journalist, Khim Sambor, and his son were killed in Phnom Penh July 11, Comfrel reported.
Six people were killed in the election campaign in 2003, according to the report.
Comfrel also cited 16 cases of intimidation, especially against activists of the Sam Rainsy, Norodom Ranariddh and Human Rights parties.
The cases of intimidation were allegedly undertaken by local authorities and CPP activists and officials in various provinces, according to the report.
In one case, a death threat was made to Om Sara, who works for the Sam Rainsy Party's radio broadcast program Candlight, in Phnom Penh, according to Comfrel.
Mar Sophal, chief investigator for Comfrel, said the even though authorities have not credited threats with politics, the cases should be prosecuted by the courts.
Other irregularities in the report include 10 cases of gift-giving by the CPP, in Siem Reap, Kampong Chhnang, Prey Veng and Pursat provinces.
Political parties have also faced obstacles to their campaign, such as clashes between party activists, in at least four instances, Comfrel reported.
National Election Committee Secretary-General Tep Nitha said Comfrel's report signaled typical reporting by the monitor ahead of elections, but irregularities of this campaign have decreased from elections past.
In some cases, when irregularities are found to be apolitical, Comfrel does not change its reporting, he said.
In 2003, the NEC received around 600 election complaints, but this year only about 200 complaints have been registered, Tep Nitha said.
SRP lawmaker Son Chhay supported the report as accurate. There were even more cases of irregularities than reported by Comfrel, he said.
NEC was "busy" helping the CPP win the election, Son Chhay said, a charge Tep Nitha refused.
Son Chhay also accused police officials and civil servants of helping the CPP campaign, a breach of election law.
"We have seen many killings and intimidation and threats during the two weeks of election campaigning, which is a serious concern for us," said Comfrel Executive Director Koul Panha.
Cambodian People's Party activist Soth Song was killed in Kampong Speu July 1; CPP activist Lon Chork was killed in Kampong Chhnang July 6; and an opposition journalist, Khim Sambor, and his son were killed in Phnom Penh July 11, Comfrel reported.
Six people were killed in the election campaign in 2003, according to the report.
Comfrel also cited 16 cases of intimidation, especially against activists of the Sam Rainsy, Norodom Ranariddh and Human Rights parties.
The cases of intimidation were allegedly undertaken by local authorities and CPP activists and officials in various provinces, according to the report.
In one case, a death threat was made to Om Sara, who works for the Sam Rainsy Party's radio broadcast program Candlight, in Phnom Penh, according to Comfrel.
Mar Sophal, chief investigator for Comfrel, said the even though authorities have not credited threats with politics, the cases should be prosecuted by the courts.
Other irregularities in the report include 10 cases of gift-giving by the CPP, in Siem Reap, Kampong Chhnang, Prey Veng and Pursat provinces.
Political parties have also faced obstacles to their campaign, such as clashes between party activists, in at least four instances, Comfrel reported.
National Election Committee Secretary-General Tep Nitha said Comfrel's report signaled typical reporting by the monitor ahead of elections, but irregularities of this campaign have decreased from elections past.
In some cases, when irregularities are found to be apolitical, Comfrel does not change its reporting, he said.
In 2003, the NEC received around 600 election complaints, but this year only about 200 complaints have been registered, Tep Nitha said.
SRP lawmaker Son Chhay supported the report as accurate. There were even more cases of irregularities than reported by Comfrel, he said.
NEC was "busy" helping the CPP win the election, Son Chhay said, a charge Tep Nitha refused.
Son Chhay also accused police officials and civil servants of helping the CPP campaign, a breach of election law.
7 comments:
Ah Jkout (Son Shhay), it is not the NEC duty to bring killers to justice. If you want them badly, you need to bring in evidences, info or leads ...
Where the hell are the opposition parties on Preah Vihear temple problem? All political parties must be united to stand with the invaders Thais. Oppision parties must voice their concerns to pressure the government to take tough actions against the fucking Thais.
Oh you mean to destroy Cambodia as they have been doing throughout history.
No opposition parties should do that because Hun Xen hijacked the victory already.
No, PM Hun Sen need not to hijack anything. With opposition as good as Khmer singers is, I say forget about it.
With my knees on the earth, tears dropping from my sun-like eyes and hands praying, I ignorantly and humbly beg the people who may concern to answer the follow questions:
1. Why can’t the government solve the problems of teachers consciously demanding money from students by all sorts of methods, which forces students to drop out of school? And why have quality exams been RARELY CONDUCTED? (Bribery, Students CHEATING etc)
2. Why can police traffic only punish and fine only low-class people rather than blood suckers of their own people who drive luxurious-too expensive cars on the streets? (Bribery for their police superior, ineffectiveness of law reinforcement etc)
3. Why when scandals related to briberies or crimes skeptically committed by high-ranking officers never investigated or results of interrogations never released or no one ever received state penalty for the crimes that benefit only a bunch or string of their family? (Instead THEY are promoted or just transfered to another post-so TRANSPAREN and such GOOD GOVERNANCE!BRAVO!)
4. Why corruption laws been drafted for so long and have never been passed as laws? (SORRY MR. I’M RUNNING BUSSINESS TO MAKE PROFIT NOT FOR GOVERNMENT OR BULLSHIT MY POOR PEOPLE!)
5. Why can’t the government wipe out the SO-WELL-KNOWN AND WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION OR BRIBERY FROM ITS SYSTEM?
IS IT WORKING TO SUPPORT-TO MAINTAIN THE COUNTRY SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OR JUST ITS BUNCH OR STRING OF FAMILY TO COME?
6. HAS THE GOVERNMENT EVER THOUGHT OF DEFENDING OR MAINTAINING THIS LONG-TIME-TORN APART COUNTRY TO LAST PROSPEROUSLY AFTER THEIR GENERATION? OR LEAVE A HEALTHY, WELL-DISCIPLINED AND READY-TO-COMPETE NATION AFTER THEIR REIGN?
I honestly and humbly beg you to answer not only for me but also for this POOR NATION!
GODD BLESSES CAMBODIA!
From SOM BAN TE ...
If cpp still be able to win this election it means that this NEC should be removed from their job then create a new NEC from NGO members.
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