By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Kem Sokha wonders about the demonstration authorization given to the SRP.
The Human Rights Party (HRP) did not wait long to react. One day after the SRP anti-inflamation demonstration, Kem Sokha’s party pointed out the difference of treatment which it is subjected to. In a communiqué dated Monday 07 April, the HRP explained that it made two requests for the authorization to hold a public forum about the increasing price of gasoline. On both occasions, it was rebuffed by the government.
The HRP was not happy to see the SRP authorized to hold its demonstration, and the HRP asked in its communiqué: “Is there a secret agreement between the government and the SRP? The discrimination against the HRP violates Article 4 of the political parties law which stipulates that all parties have the same rights, privileges and attention given by the government, as well as by all the authorities.”
Reached over the phone, Sam Rainsy provided his reaction. He gave an advise to Kem Sokha. “With the government, one must be persisting. Look, even if I had the green light, the demonstration did not take place easily. The authorities prevented people from joining us,” Sam Rainsy explained. He did not want to turn into a polemic the speculation of an agreement between his party and the government. “I am more interested in the people’s need. This is more important,” he concluded.
At the end, this HRP complaint episode is only beneficial to the government which wants to see it competitors bickering among themselves. Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said that he is not surprised: “The two parties are envious about each other, and this started since long ago. They never get along,” he replied while avoiding to explain why the HRP requests to hold public forums were rejected.
The Human Rights Party (HRP) did not wait long to react. One day after the SRP anti-inflamation demonstration, Kem Sokha’s party pointed out the difference of treatment which it is subjected to. In a communiqué dated Monday 07 April, the HRP explained that it made two requests for the authorization to hold a public forum about the increasing price of gasoline. On both occasions, it was rebuffed by the government.
The HRP was not happy to see the SRP authorized to hold its demonstration, and the HRP asked in its communiqué: “Is there a secret agreement between the government and the SRP? The discrimination against the HRP violates Article 4 of the political parties law which stipulates that all parties have the same rights, privileges and attention given by the government, as well as by all the authorities.”
Reached over the phone, Sam Rainsy provided his reaction. He gave an advise to Kem Sokha. “With the government, one must be persisting. Look, even if I had the green light, the demonstration did not take place easily. The authorities prevented people from joining us,” Sam Rainsy explained. He did not want to turn into a polemic the speculation of an agreement between his party and the government. “I am more interested in the people’s need. This is more important,” he concluded.
At the end, this HRP complaint episode is only beneficial to the government which wants to see it competitors bickering among themselves. Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said that he is not surprised: “The two parties are envious about each other, and this started since long ago. They never get along,” he replied while avoiding to explain why the HRP requests to hold public forums were rejected.
