I will regret it if Kem Sokha’s immunity is lifted: NatAss’ Heng Xamrin

Tuesday 07 September 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Heng Xamrin, the president of the National Assembly (NatAss), said that he will regret if Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party (HRP), will have his parliamentary immunity lifted. However, he said that if the court asks the NatAss to lift Kem Sokha’s immunity, the NatAss will oblige. Heng Xamrin made this comment yesterday at the NatAss during his meeting with Nut Narang, the new Cambodian ambassador to UNESCO. Heng Xamrin said that: “This problem is up to the court capacity. As the president of the NatAss, I will regret it if a representative of the people will have his immunity lifted, because we cannot do anything besides abiding by the law.” Heng Xamrin added that whether Kem Sokha will show up in court or not is up to him. Kem Sokha was sued by his former employees who accused him of breach of trust and falsification of documents when he was the president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) in 2006. However, critics consider the summons issued to Kem Sokha as being politically involved in order to hamper Kem Sokha’s political activities.

Mu Sochua: I did not apologize to Heng Samrin

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated form Khmer by Socheata

SRP Kampot MP Mu Sochua rejected the information published by an article of the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper on 06 March, bearing the title: “National Assembly to return parliamentary immunity to Mr. Sam Rainsy,” in which the article alleged that Mrs. Mu Sochua met with Heng Samrin, the president of the National Assembly, to apologize. In a letter dated 06 March, Mrs. Mu Sochua asked the Rasmei Kampuchea to bring a correction to its article alleging that she apologized to Heng Samrin. In her letter, Mu Sochua indicated that she did not apologize to Heng Samrin about anything she spoke with Voice of America regarding the lifting of Sam Rainsy’s immunity. She added that, to the contrary, she told Heng Samrin that he should not speak about an out of topic issue during the celebration of the International Women’s Day held on 08 March. Mrs. Mu Sochua added on that letter that there were no reporters present during her meeting with Heng Samrin.

KI-Media note: MP Mu Sochua was scolded by Heng Samrin at a Women's Day event held on 05 March 2009 for stating her view on Voice of America of the decision of the National Assembly to lift the parliamentary immunity of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, as the decision of the Permanent Committee of the National Assembly clearly violated article 80 of the Constitution.