SRP calls on the ruling party to stop playing its “dirty trick” against the opposition

Click on the above SRP communiqué to zoom in

18 June 2008
By Ros Dina
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the original article in French
Click here to read the original article in Khmer

In a communiqué released on Wednesday 18 June, the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) calls on the CPP and its vice-president, Prime minister Hun Sen, to end the “dirty trick” they have initiated to destabilize the main opposition party in Cambodia. The SRP denounced that these treacheries threaten and would prevent the holding of a free, fair and equitable election on 27 July.

The SRP also referred to the public speech given by Hun Sen on 15 June, in which he asked the ministry of Defense to investigate on alleged involvement of the SRP in an attack on Hun Sen in Siem Reap in 1998, as well as the alleged SRP ties to the Cambodian Freedom Fighters, a movement which tried to topple the government in 2000 by attacking several government buildings. These alleged accusations were brought up by two former SRP party members, Hun Sen claimed.

The SRP provided information on the past of the two men who brought the charges against the SRP. The SRP stressed that the pair were kicked out of the party several years ago because of their behaviors which led to their altercation with the law. The SRP also indicated that both men were jailed for several months in the past, and that they are currently being manipulated by the CPP to threaten the SRP.

“The culture of violence does not exist in the SRP,” the communiqué insists before indicating that the latest events were repeated acts from the ruling party to try “to destroy the SRP’s popularity,” after its attempts to “buy out” some of the SRP activists.

Sam Rainsy: "They have orchestrated the issue to divert the attention of Cambodian citizens from such issues as inflation ... and land issues ..."

Sam Rainsy’s parliamentary immunity in peril

Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Neth Pheaktra
The Mekong Times

Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday asked President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin to temporarily suspend the parliamentary immunity of opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) President Sam Rainsy.

The court has made the request so that Sam Rainsy can be investigated over the defamation lawsuit that has been filed against him by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Nguon Nhel, first deputy president of the National Assembly, said last night that the Permanent Commission of the National Assembly – currently on vacation – has the right to summon members to decide on the status of a parliamentarian’s immunity.

He said that the decision requires a majority ruling.

“If there is no suspension, no one can arrest parliamentarians as they have immunity except in the case of very serious crimes.”

Sam Rainsy, a lawmaker for Kompong Cham province, said the court’s request was a ploy by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to intimidate the SRP.

“They want to threaten the SRP once again. This has occurred on many occasions. It is like the arrest of Dam Sith [editor-in-chief of Moneaksekar Khmer],” Sam Rainsy said.

“I do not feel surprised or worried. They have orchestrated the issue to divert the attention of Cambodian citizens from such issues as inflation – rising prices of goods – and land issues the CPP can not tackle.”

Nonetheless, Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith suggested that the judicial issue should not be refused with government affairs, saying the legal complaint lodged by Hor Namhong against Sam Rainsy “is a court matter.”

Kek Galabru, president of local rights group Licadho, said she regretted the turn of events.

“I feel very regretful over the existence of these controversial problems; first the arrest and release of Dam Sith and now it is Sam Rainsy’s turn.

“It is a message to frighten voters. How can we say that the upcoming election is free and fair when the voters are scared to express their point of views?” said Kek Galabru.