Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Thursday, 03 March 2011
"Without Sam Rainsy’s involvement in upcoming elections, the international community will question the legitimacy of Cambodian democracy."
Analysts say that with no more legal options available in a criminal case against Sam Rainsy, a political solution must be found ahead of upcoming elections.
The Supreme Court this week upheld criminal charges against the opposition leader, who was found guilty of racial incitement and destruction of property for uprooting border markers near Vietnam in 2009.
Sam Rainsy remains in exile and faces two years in prison for those charges, along with an additional sentence of 10 years for posting a map of the border on his party website that the government said was false and constituted disinformation.
The criminal charges will prevent him from leading his party from Cambodia in local elections in 2012 and from contesting national elections in 2013.
Chea Vannath, an independent political analyst, told VOA Khmer that Prime Minister Hun Sen is “accustomed to win-win experiences,” and should be able to find a political solution for “national reconciliation.”
Sam Rainsy is still able to draw votes from the electorate, votes that could go to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party if he is unable to participate in elections, she said.
The Sam Rainsy Party currently holds 26 seats in the National Assembly, the leading opposition party. By contrast, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party holds 90 seats.
Chhaya Hang, executive director of the Khmer Institute for Democracy, said a political solution would reflect the will of the people, especially Sam Rainsy supporters.
Without Sam Rainsy’s involvement in upcoming elections, he said, the international community will question the legitimacy of Cambodian democracy. Sam Rainsy will not be able to fully participate in campaigns from abroad, he said.
Sam Rainsy’s case should not have been handled in the courts at all, he said. “This kind of political dispute should not have been solved through that,” he said. “There’s no need to use a court that frightens people and makes them unhappy.”
“We see that today there should be a mutual uniting to develop the nation, because poverty is a huge issue for our kingdom,” he said.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yiep denied allegations the ruling party has influence over the courts, and said Sam Rainsy had broken the law when he removed the border posts.
Whether a political solution is available is now dependent on Sam Rainsy and is the prerogative of Hun Sen.
Hun Sen has said a political solution is not possible.
However, there have been other political opponents in the past who have received royal pardons through requests from Hun Sen to King Norodom Sihamoni. Ahead of the 2008 elections, Prince Norodom Ranariddh was allowed to return after a pardon of embezzlement charges.
Sam Rainsy visited the US last week to meet US officials, in search of support for his party and a possible return to politics. International officials maintain that a healthy opposition is necessary in a democracy.
17 comments:
with or without Sam Rainsy Cambodia is still moving forward. Thus; it is not A MUST
supreme court my asshole!!!! ah hun sen on your head full of youn expert since 1979 ok even a new baby born realize that matters.
Sam Rainsy never sacrifice any thing for the good of the country or the nation; don't glory him too much. He is not deserve to receive this type of glory. Forget about him and let him hang himself.
I sick and tired with the people whom glory to much to person have no hope like sam rainsy. we all should talk about other things such as poverty deduction; human right; thai encroaching our territory..... Sam Rainsy is thing of the past.
i've head youn will bheaded all khmers c pee pee at the end of this year .is that correct ?
For Cambodia no need samrainsy, Hun sen is going to kill Cambodia from day by day....
it's not just about Sam Rainsy; we can live without him but he cannot live without power.
Cambodian will love Samrainsy for all his courage to bring hope and grave back to restore our moral character, because we Khmer are so ruined under our current thug Hun Xen leadership, corruption, human right violation, human trafficking, betrayed our nation, not only he betrayed our country he did lead many of his follower or force many of his follower to betrayed our country as well by reward those are defect to him and supported his betrayed of people will be rewarded with corruption and sell out our country,our land.
With our country are all sold out to foreigner, and with with the donors aid that build roads, bridges, buildings made it look like our country is prosper to distort the fact that we are in danger of becoming Khmer Krom #2.
His army and polices are tough against only his people. When Hun Sen bullied with Thai. He got beat up so badly that he demand or forced Thai to sign ceasefire agreement so quickly.
When he Hun Sen was exposed of his lie about giving eastern part of our country to Vietcong Hun Sen was furious, he demand that M.P Samrainsy should would not be allow to compete in 2013 national election Hun sen afraid of losing, this is why Hun sen decided to exile M.P. Samrainsy so he can continue his dictatorship rules. This is Hun sen law if he cann't fool people to stay in power! he will us his dictator rule to force opposition out of election race that is simple.
This is so unfair, while Hun Sen use media to brainwash Khmer people 365days a year, opposition can only use certain time during national election, that's why Hun thug, get so many thug supporters.
No TV to bring message for opposition, that's why Hun thug continue to cheat.
Sam Rainsy เป็นเก่าและไร้ประโยชน์ไม่สามารถไปยังกัมพูชา
เขาเป็นที่ดีที่จะจำนำของนายอภิสิทธิ์ นั่นคือทั้งหมด.
Mr Rainsy and the team, If I were you don't participate in the upcoming local and general election. Let's Hun Sen going to election alone and see if his govt will be a legitimate one.Please don't kiss Hun Sen ass by asking him to be allowed back. Let's the international community pressuring Hun Sen.
For those who's said Sam Rainsy has done nothing for the country....
Answer my question;
Had he had any chances???
Your brain can be usefull. Use it wisely.
I'm not Pro-SR nor I Pro-HS.
Rainsy love to criticize, but he is not a leader. He fail and fail and leading his followers to be killed that should not be killed.
He always makes the most unsuccessful dangerous decision.
What will be changed in Cambodia, he will never a leader of Cambodian people.
Sooner or later,
The dictatorship will be chopped down just like any other countries.
Dictatorship is planted, its allowed, when it ripped, and ready to be eaten, it will be chopped down.
Look at saddam, look at eypt, look at libya, and many many other example.
Same for myanmar, cambodia, etc.
If there is an uprising in Cambodia, do you think Sam Rainsy will be the PM of Cambodia ??? and Why ???
Base on the past history in Asia, the leader of the country is always the leader of the millitary. The one who fought and suffered for the country. It never had been the one who is going around and trash talk about your own country.
If you don't believe me check the past history or look around Asian country.
Millitary never respect civilian ruler.
Here is the best solution for Sam Rainsy: come back to Cambodia and be jailed for a few years. Be like Aung San Sukyi, and You'll get the support of your people and international community. If you got innocent people to destroyed the border demarcation, then stay with them in jail and be a leader. You wouldn't run away and let these innocent people stay in jail. You tell them what to do, but they're not lucky to have money and dual citizenship to run away from trouble like you do.
"9:40 trash talk about your owm country". We alway criticized Hun Sen leadership and we never talk bad about my Cambodia. Hun Sen is absolutly not CAMBODIA.Please dom't be confuse.
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