New alliance could spell trouble for Cambodia's ruling party

09.08.2012
Author: Chheng Niem
Editor: Shamil Shams/ Michael Knigge
Deutsche Welle (Germany)

Cambodia's two main opposition parties have recently merged to form an alliance ahead of the 2013 parliamentary elections. Experts say the merger could spell trouble for the ruling CPP, which seeks to extend its rule.

On July 17, Cambodia's Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the Human Rights Party (HRP) leaders met in the Philippines to finalize the merger.

Kem Sokha, president of the HRP told the media afterwards that the two parties had decided to forge an alliance because it was desired by the Cambodian people.

Cambodian experts say the merger of the two main opposition parties has worried Prime Minister Hun Sen's left-leaning Cambodian People's Party (CPP), which has been in power since 1979.

The CPP was earlier known as the Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Party (KPRP), and was renamed in 1991. The HRP and the SRP are liberal parties.

Cambodia’s political merger: maximising the potential

Human Rights Party president Kem Sokha (2nd L), acting SRP president Kong Korm (C) and SRP lawmaker Mu Sochua (R) attend a meeting of the newly formed Democratic Movement for National Rescue party in Phnom Penh on Monday. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post

Wednesday, 01 August 2012
Ou Virak
The Phnom Penh Post

The announcement last week from Manila that Cambodia’s two largest opposition parties – the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the Human Rights Party (HRP) – are to merge under the banner of the Democratic Movement for National Rescue (DMNR) represents a great sign of hope for Cambodia’s beleaguered democracy.

For the first time in two decades, the Cambodian electorate may be given the option of a genuine and viable alternative to the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).

However, to attract Cambodia’s disenchanted electorate back to the polling booth – turnout for this year’s commune elections was just 60 per cent compared to 87 per cent ten years ago – and to maximise its chances of winning next year’s general elections, the DMNR should take the following steps:

Put party policy before personalities: Political parties in Cambodia have traditionally been projections of party leaders – not only Hun Sen’s CPP but also Kem Sokha’s HRP and Sam Rainsy’s eponymous party. Policy issues are relegated, with voters encouraged to vote for individual personalities rather than the parties that offer them the most.

Small Chance for Election Victory for Merged Opposition, Analyst Says

Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, on “Hello VOA” Thursday. (Photo: by Men Kimseng)

Thursday, 05 July 2012
Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh

“If the merger is based merely on dividing power among its members, it will lead to failure.”

Cambodia’s opposition parties have a slim chance of winning national elections next year, but only if they merge together and set a clear platform in time, a leading analyst says.

The Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties have discussed the possibility of merging together, but they have so far remained separate entities. The Sam Rainsy Party has 26 seats in the National Assembly. The Human Rights Party has just three. The ruling Cambodian People’s Party, by comparison, has 90 of 123 seats.

“If after they merge together and are able to keep their momentum up, it could lead them to a victory,” said Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, as a guest on “Hello VOA” Thursday. The opposition would need to draw “swing voters,” which could lead to as many as 10 more seats, he said, and it would have to be appealing to former supporters of the struggling royalist parties of Prince Norodom Ranarridh and Funcinpec.

Opposition Merger an Advantage Under Current Law, Analyst Says

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HStzp3TwNaU

Opposition Merger Means ‘a Chance To Win,’ Analyst Says

(Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Thursday, 28 June 2012
Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC

In the wake of minor wins in the local commune elections early this month, two opposition parties are now in negotiations to merge together for next year’s general election.

Officials from the Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties are set to meet next month in Manila to lay groundwork for a possible merging before the national election scheduled for July 2013.

Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, sees this as a positive move. The election law provides advantages to a bigger party, he said. And an opposition merger will make it easier to field competent candidates and to spend money wisely, he said.

“If they stay separated it gives a lot of advantages to the Cambodian People’s Party,” Ou Virak told VOA Khmer. “If these parties merge, they have a chance to win in 2013.”

Report slams Boeung Kak 13 sentencing

Boeung Kak lake and Borei Keila residents protest outside the Royal Palace yesterday. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Shane Worrell
The Phnom Penh Post

The 13 Boeung Kak lake women imprisoned after a three-hour trial on May 24 were tried unjustly on charges that had no basis, according to a Cambodian Center for Human Rights report released yesterday.

CCHR argues in the 17-page legal analysis that the women, sentenced from one to two and a half years in prison, were expressing their right to freedom of assembly and expression when arrested at Boeung Kak lake on May 22.

“There do not seem to be any valid and legal reasons why limitations or restrictions should be applied to the defendants’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly,” the report says. “The defendants participated peacefully in a protest, which is protected under domestic and international law.”

CCHR president Ou Virak said the women’s sentencing, which came two days after their arrest and hours after they were charged with disputing authorities and occupying land awarded to developer Shukaku, was a “gross miscarriage of justice”.

Much Room in Politics for Women, Youth: Analyst

Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, on "Hello VOA". Photo: by Men Kimseng

Tuesday, 08 May 2012
Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC

“The youth tend to feel that they would rather leave political issues for others to handle.”

Women and youth still have only minor roles in Cambodian politics, which remains dominated by men, a prominent rights activist said Monday.

But both may yet still emerge as powerful political forces, said Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, as a returning guest on “Hello VOA.”

A huge percentage of young people remain disengaged from politics. Many don’t know who their local commune leaders are. And few are actively involved in upcoming election campaigns.

“If the youth don’t know what their commune councilors are doing, [they feel] there is no point for them to vote,” Ou Virak said. “The youth tend to feel that they would rather leave political issues for others to handle.”

Summit a Success, But South China Sea Issue Remains: Analysts

China claims the highlighted portion of the South China Sea. Many other governments also claim all or part of the South China Sea. (Photo: Courtesy of University of Southern California)

Thursday, 05 April 2012
Reporters, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh, Washington

“If there’s no China influence, Asean countries could reach a compromise on [the code of conduct] more easily.”

Analysts say Cambodia handled its first Asean summit for the year with success, but it will face leadership challenges over the South China Sea, as Asean countries and China continue talks.

Officials from Vietnam and the Philippines, both Asean countries, raised the issue at meetings ahead of the final summit earlier this week, with Asean leaders ultimately deciding they would draft a so-called code of conduct, or set of rules, for the sea.

Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told VOA Khmer Thursday that even the code of conduct is complicated because of differing relationships between Southeast Asian countries and China.

Most Local Politicians Serving Party Over Public: Analyst

Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. (Photo: by Men Kimseng)

Thursday, 05 April 2012
Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC

“Ultimately, the commune chiefs have to give in to the party.”

As Cambodians consider candidates for local elections later this year, they are used to public service as a low priority. Instead, many local commune councilors use their positions to serve the ruling party, Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told “Hello VOA” Monday.

“There is still political discrimination at the local administration,” he said, but the severity is less at the local level than in national politics.

Cambodia will hold commune council elections June 3, with national elections slated for July 2013. The commune election process is meant to decentralize power from the central government.

UN Faces Tough Decision in Appointing New Judge: Analyst

Swiss investigating judge Laurent Kasper-Ansermet announced his resignation last week, making him the second UN-appointed judge to vacate that post. (Photo: Courtesy of ECCC)

Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer | Washington

“If the UN appoints a judge to replace Kasper-Ansermet and [the new judge] still meets with obstruction, I think the UN should withdraw from the court completely.”

The resignation of a second investigating judge at the Khmer Rouge tribunal has put the United Nations at a crossroads, a leading rights advocate says.

The UN must now decide whether it will again replace the judge, who will face two cases that are opposed by senior government officials, or give up on the court altogether, Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told “Hello VOA” on Monday.

Swiss investigating judge Laurent Kasper-Ansermet announced his resignation last week, making him the second UN-appointed judge to vacate that post.

The judge said he battled with obstruction from within his office and his Cambodian judicial counterpart, You Bunleng, as he tried to investigate two cases at the court that would require five more indictments of Khmer Rouge leaders.

Khmer Rouge jailer's life term bad example

Tue Feb 7 2012
9News (Australia)

"It feeds into my fear that this was really a political decision to make Duch the scapegoat for the whole regime" - Theary Seng

A life term handed to a feared Khmer Rouge jailer has elated Cambodians, but observers say the historic verdict violates the torture chief's human rights and serves public opinion rather than justice.

Kaing Guek Eav, or Duch, who oversaw the deaths of some 15,000 people at S-21 prison in the late 1970s, had his punishment increased on appeal by Cambodia's UN-backed tribunal from 30 years to a full life term for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The long-awaited ruling last Friday, which dismissed Duch's appeal against his conviction, was hailed by survivors of the brutal regime, with Bou Meng, 71, one of the few to walk out of S-21 alive, calling it "perfect justice".

Legal experts and human rights campaigners however voiced dismay at the judges' decision not to give Duch a reduction for the time he spent in illegal detention before the court was established.

"I think there could be a perception that public opinion has trumped human rights," said Rupert Abbott, Cambodia researcher for Amnesty International.

Delay in the nomination of the International Co-Investigating Judge is political: Ou Virak

Ou Virak, CCHR president (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

13 January 2012
By Kuoch Kuntheara
Radio France Internationale

RFI’s weekly guest on Saturday 14 January 2012 is Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR). In response to questions asked by Kuoch Kuntheara, Ou Virak claimed that the fact Cambodia delayed the nomination of new International Co-Investigating Judge (CIJ) at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal is political. As the same time, Ou Virak also called on the Cambodian government to speed up the nomination process so that the new CIJ can continue the investigation into Cases 003 and 004.

Click the control below to listen to the audio program:

Click here to download or listen to the audio program in MP3

Khmer Rouge Trial Missing a Marquee Defendant

Former Khmer Rouge Head of State Khieu Samphan and deputy leader Noun Chea are seen in the courtroom during a public hearing at the ECCC. (European Press photo Agency/ECCC)

November 21, 2011
By Shibani Mahtani
The Wall Street Journal

More than three decades after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, the trial of some of its most senior surviving leaders – all adamant about their innocence – began today with one notable absence.

One of the four “inner circle” members of the regime accused of genocide and crimes against humanity was excused from the long-awaited trials. Ieng Tirith, wife of the regime’s international face Ieng Sary and herself minister of social affairs during Khmer Rouge rule, was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial due Alzheimer’s disease and ordered to be unconditionally released.

Though prosecutors have appealed the decision, it has raised yet again the question that victims and activists have long-feared: Will the remaining Khmer Rouge leaders fall prey to old age before they can be held to account for atrocities they are alleged to have committed?

ហ៊ុនសែន ​ខ្លាចស្រមោលខ្លួនឯង? - Hun Xen sacred of his own shadow?

ហ៊ុនសែន ហាមមិនឲ្យប្រៀបធៀបគាត់ ជាមួយកាដាហ្វី តែគាត់ មិនបានហាម ការប្រៀបធៀបគាត់ ជាមួយ សាដាមហ៊ុសេនឡើយ!

លោក​នាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​ ហ៊ុន សែន នៅក្នុង​ពិធី​សម្ពោធ​ផ្លូវជាតិ​លេខ ៣ កាលពីថ្ងៃចន្ទ​ម្សិលមិញ​។ (រូបថត ម៉ៃ វីរៈ)

លោក​ហ៊ុនសែន​ព្រមាន​អ្នកប្រដូចលោកនឹង​កាដាហី្វ

Tuesday, 15 November 2011
គឹម យុទ្ធណា
The Phnom Penh Post

ភ្នំពេញ: លោកនាយក​រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​ហ៊ុន សែន ជាថ្មី​ម្តងទៀតបាន​ព្រមាន​ចាត់វិធានការ​តាមផ្លូវច្បាប់​ដល់អ្នកដែលនិយាយ​រិះគន់រូបលោក ដែលបានប្រដូចការ​ដឹកនាំ​ប្រទេស​របស់លោក ទៅនឹងការស្លាប់​របស់​មេដឹកនាំ​ប្រទេស​លីប៊ី​នាពេល​ថ្មីៗនេះ។

លោកនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី បានហៅការប្រៀប ធៀបនេះថា ៖​ «ជាការប្រៀបធៀបអាក្រក់បំផុត ស្មើនឹងការប្រមាថ​និងប៉ុនប៉ងសម្លាប់​ជីវិត​» ខណៈដែល​លោកបានចាត់ទុកថា លោក កាដាហ្វី ត្រូវគេ​សម្លាប់ដោយសារ​តែ«ចម្បាំង»​។

ការថ្លែង​របស់ប្រមុខរដ្ឋាភិបាល​លោក ហ៊ុន សែន យ៉ាងដូច្នេះ​ បានធ្វើឡើងនៅ​ក្នុងពិធីសម្ពោធ​ដាក់ឲ្យប្រើប្រាស់​ផ្លូវជាតិ​លេខ៣ តភ្ជាប់ពី​ក្រុងភ្នំពេញ​ទៅកាន់ខេត្ត កំពត កាលពី​ថ្ងៃទី១៤ វិច្ឆិកា ​ម្សិលមិញនេះ​។

CPP sicophant defends the puppet regime over accords

Keo Remy (Photo: Pha Lina)  - លោក​កែវ រ៉េមីនៅ​ក្នុង​សន្និសីទ​កាសែត​កាល​ពី​ម្សិលមិញ​។ រូបថត ផា លីណា

Peace agreement: Official hits back at SRP over accords 

Thursday, 27 October 2011
May Titthara
The Phnom Penh Post

Peace agreement

A government official yesterday criticised opposition politicians and certain NGOs for reportedly accusing the government of not respecting the Paris Peace Agreements, struck in 1991.

Keo Remy, deputy spokesman for the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers. said at a press conference in the capital yesterday the government had successfully followed the Paris Peace Agreements of October 23.

“The United Nations just helped for the national election but the Cambodian government finished the civil war in this country,” he said. “We cut off October 23 from the [holiday] calendar because we have a lot of holidays [already].”

On the 20th anniversary of the accords on Sunday, opposition leader Sam Rainsy said via video from Paris that the ruling party did not respect the Paris Peace Agreements.

Cambodia's unrealized peace promise

Oct 28, 2011
By Ou Virak
Asia Times Online

SPEAKING FREELY

PHNOM PENH - Twenty years ago this week Cambodia entered a brave new dawn. The four Cambodian factions that had fought a protracted civil war since the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979 came together with signatories from 18 countries in Paris to sign the Agreement on a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict, otherwise known as the Paris Peace Agreement. It was a document that promised the Cambodian people peace, stability, democracy and human rights after decades of war and hardship.

On paper, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has followed through on some of the Paris Peace Agreement’s promise. It presided over the ultimate disintegration of the Khmer Rouge after more than three decades of war, slaughter and widespread suffering; it established the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in an attempt to provide justice to the victims of the genocidal regime; it signed various international human-rights covenants and treaties; it oversaw Cambodia's entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); and it has achieved a fair degree of economic prosperity and development.

In the fields of democracy and human rights, however, its accomplishments are less clear. Prime Minister Hun Sen's government has routinely flouted many of the covenants it has ratified; further entrenched a pervasive culture of corruption and impunity, allowed the wealth gap between the elite and vast majority of poverty-ridden Cambodians to widen alarmingly, and waged a sustained legislative and administrative campaign to control every aspect of the Cambodian people's lives, showing scant regard for the rule of law, democratic institutions and human rights and freedoms.

Cambodia: UN visit ends without decision

The Cambodian government must stop interfering in the Khmer Rouge tribunal’s investigations of two war crimes cases. That’s the message from the UN’s top legal officer, who wrapped up a visit to Phnom Penh on Friday.

21 October 2011

By Robert Carmichael

International Justice Desk

Blunk and You Bunleng, his Cambodian counterpart in the Office of the Co-Investigating Judges (OCIJ), have been widely condemned for a string of legally dubious rulings surrounding Cases 003 and 004.

The two have also been accused of deliberately undermining their investigations into those cases at the government’s behest, and using the flimsiest of reasons to exclude civil parties.

However the UN remained tight-lipped about whether it would sanction a probe of the investigating judges’ office, whose decisions on the two controversial cases – known as Cases 003 and 004 in the court’s parlance – have proved a significant embarrassment for the UN-backed court.

The comments from the visiting head of the UN’s Office of Legal Affairs, Patricia O’Brien, followed a meeting with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.

Respect

In a statement released late Thursday, O’Brien said she had told Sok An that the UN insisted that all parties respect the independence of judicial proceedings.

“(I) strongly urged the government to refrain from statements opposing the progress of Cases 003 and 004 and to refrain from interfering in any way whatsoever with the judicial process,” O’Brien said, adding that she had stressed the government’s obligation “to cooperate fully” with the tribunal.

Cambodia Villagers Stage "Avatar" Themed Protest about Land Loss

Cambodian villagers affected by the loss of land in Prey Lang forest in the north of the country pray at a Buddhist shrine in central Phnom Penh, August 18, 2011. Later, most were briefly detained after they distributed leaflets in the capital, but they were all later released. (Photo: VOA - R. Carmichael)

Thursday, 18 August 2011Robert ​Carmichael | Phnom Penh

Ou Virak, who heads the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, says the real reason for the detentions was that such the protests threaten the ability of the elite to exploit Cambodia's natural resources.

More than 100 villagers from rural Cambodia were detained briefly by the authorities in Phnom Penh after handing out leaflets detailing how government land concessions are affecting their lives.

Early Thursday, about 120 villagers gathered to pray at a Buddhist shrine on the riverfront in Phnom Penh.

Many were dressed in outfits designed to evoke a Cambodian version of the hit film "Avatar" - which depicts the struggle of an alien race battling to save their forest from commercial exploitation. Protesters had green painted faces, green shirts and wore a green leaf as a hat.

They said they had come to the capital to let the public know of the troubles they face in rural areas where huge tracts of forest have been leased to domestic and foreign businesses.

Press Release - CCHR launches new database on land conflicts in Cambodia

http://www.box.net/shared/914pfg6vx6581fv1sujd


http://www.box.net/shared/p7nh664755hp7fokmyvd

Rights Group Urges UN To Hold Firm on Tribunal

Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, on “Hello VOA” Wednesday. (Photo: by Men Kimseng)

Thursday, 07 July 2011
Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC

“It should work closely with the government and tell them that the role of the UN is not to help the government, but its people, through the cooperation with the government and civil society.”

A leading local rights organization has issued a sharp warning to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, urging him to take a hard stance on the Khmer Rouge tribunal, which has come under increased scrutiny for its handling of a controversial case at the court.

The Cambodian Human Rights Center urged the UN not falter in handling trials of senior leaders, especially after Prime Minister Hun Sen told Ban in a meeting this year he would not allow more indictments at the court.

“The UN should not step backward on human rights and succumb to threat,” Ou Virak, president of the rights group, told “Hello VOA” Wednesday. “It should work closely with the government and tell them that the role of the UN is not to help the government, but its people, through the cooperation with the government and civil society.”