Ranariddh Official Calls for Arrest in Death Threat

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
12 May 2008

A senior official of the Norodom Ranariddh Party called on authorities to arrest a ruling party member Monday, following an alleged threat to an activist.

NRP activist Sreng Srout, of Svay Chi Kray village in Preah Vihear province, was alleged threatened on Thursday by a Cambodian People’s Party deputy village chief, Ngim Thol, according to Sok Sokun, an NRP parliamentary candidate.

Sreng Srout claims he was threatened on arriving at a party last week to celebrate the posting of a Norodom Ranariddh sign, Sok Sokun said.

Ngim Thol could not be reached for comment. Former village chief Rim Thy confirmed that threat but denied it was political.

Sok Sokun said Monday such threats would no longer be tolerated, and called for Ngim Thol to be jailed.

Hun Sen urging safety for all parties is nothing but "hot air"

Hun Sen Urges Safety for All Parties

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
09 April 2008

"What Hun Sen called for is just a good picture for the public ... In fact, the CPP has ordered its men to threaten and intimidate the Sam Rainsy Party" - Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-General

"I don't believe Hun Sen. Because today my Human Rights Party sign in Kratie was knocked down. Hun Sen's appeal is meaningless. I ask Hun Sen to condemn the perpetrators, and if he cannot condemn the perpetrators, then what Hun Sen just said seems to push the perpetrators to do more" - Kem Sokha, HRP President

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he wanted to ensure the safety of all political parties in the run-up to July's national elections.

Speaking at a school inauguration in Prey Veng province, Hun Sen called on the authorities and security forces to take strong measures to protect the safety of "all political parties competing in the national election in July."

The appeal comes on the heels of accusations that ruling Cambodian People's Party officials were discriminating against competing parties.

"I would like to take this opportunity to call for all authorities and armed forces to take care of protecting the security for all political parties to work the election process with democracy, freedom and non-violence, in an atmosphere that all can accept.... All are very good choices for Cambodia."

Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha called the appeal a "political maneuver."

"I'm very disappointed," he said. "I don't believe Hun Sen. Because today my Human Rights Party sign in Kratie was knocked down. Hun Sen's appeal is meaningless. I ask Hun Sen to condemn the perpetrators, and if he cannot condemn the perpetrators, then what Hun Sen just said seems to push the perpetrators to do more."

Eng Chhay Ieng, secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party, said Wednesday that a good security atmosphere ahead of the elections was ultimately up to Hun Sen.

"What Hun Sen called for is just a good picture for the public," he said. "In fact, the CPP has ordered its men to threaten and intimidate the Sam Rainsy Party."

Tep Nytha, secretary-general of the National Election Committee, said Wednesday there are 45,000 security personnel from the military, military police and interior police to be deployed at 15,000 polling stations nationwide during elections.

There are 20 security personnel in each district, and 10 in each commune, he said.

"This strong security measure can ensure security and safety for the election," he said.

By telling CPP members not to threaten the people to obtain votes, Hun Sen is confessing that the CPP used threats in past elections

Hun Sen tells his party members not to threaten the people to obtain votes

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On Monday, Prime minister Hun Sen called on CPP party members not to threaten those who do not belong to this party to make them vote for the CPP. He said that such action would be a serious mistake. In a speech given during the foundation setting for a pagoda in Mesang district, Prey Veng province, Hun Sen said that threats do not bring benefit but that it can destroy benefit to the CPP because it is not the CPP’s policy. Hun Sen asked his party members not to take this route, those who use threat are extremely dumb, and the CPP does not act this way. Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, supports Hun Sen’s argument in prohibiting CPP party members from threatening other parties. However, Eng Chhai Eang also pushes for these claims to become reality. He said that in the past, Hun Sen used to make the same statement, but when it comes to reality, it was never so.