15 June 2009Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
The dealing of SRP MP Mu Sochua is progressing forward. Cheam Yeap, the [CPP] chairman of the National Assembly (NA) permanent committee claimed to Rasmei Kampuchea yesterday that the NA permanent committee will meet in the afternoon of Monday 15 June to decide on the suspension of Mrs. Mu Sochua’s immunity. Cheam Yeap confirmed that this decision will be taken by the NA permanent committee itself and there is no need to wait for a NA plenary session at all.
This decision is the same as the one taken against opposition leader Sam Rainsy when the court asked for the suspension of his parliamentary immunity a few months ago. Cheam Yeap declared that this is not a lifting of immunity, but that it is only a decision to suspend her immunity that is why the NA permanent committee can make its decision in this manner. Cheam Yeap’s committee will report this case to the NA during the next NA plenary session.
In response to the decision to suspend Mrs. Mu Sochua’s parliamentary immunity, Mrs. Mu Sochua commented that she is not concerned about her personal safety, and neither will she flee. She confirmed that she has no fear whatsoever. Nevertheless, this opposition MP still continues to criticize the Cambodian justice system and she declared that what is happening to her show that there is no equity in the law, unlike what is stipulated in the Cambodian Constitution.
Civil society organizations are also showing their concerns. Hang Puthea, Executive Director of Nicfec, called on Cambodian politicians to be open-minded and to be understanding to each other in order to avoid such political dispute. Thun Saray, President of the Adhoc human rights organization, commented that the lawsuits between politicians not only show the murkiness of the progress of democracy in Cambodia, but it can also bring dishonor of Cambodia on the international arena as well.
Up to now, a number of lawsuits are being brought up, such as the one brought up the government lawyer against the opposition-leaning Khmer Machas Srok newspaper; the lawsuit against Sam Rainsy brought up by Kep Chuktema, Phnom Penh city governor; the lawsuits against Mrs. Mu Sochua and her lawyer brought up by Hun Sen’s government; the lawsuit brought up against high-ranking army officers against SRP MP Ho Vann.
This decision is the same as the one taken against opposition leader Sam Rainsy when the court asked for the suspension of his parliamentary immunity a few months ago. Cheam Yeap declared that this is not a lifting of immunity, but that it is only a decision to suspend her immunity that is why the NA permanent committee can make its decision in this manner. Cheam Yeap’s committee will report this case to the NA during the next NA plenary session.
In response to the decision to suspend Mrs. Mu Sochua’s parliamentary immunity, Mrs. Mu Sochua commented that she is not concerned about her personal safety, and neither will she flee. She confirmed that she has no fear whatsoever. Nevertheless, this opposition MP still continues to criticize the Cambodian justice system and she declared that what is happening to her show that there is no equity in the law, unlike what is stipulated in the Cambodian Constitution.
Civil society organizations are also showing their concerns. Hang Puthea, Executive Director of Nicfec, called on Cambodian politicians to be open-minded and to be understanding to each other in order to avoid such political dispute. Thun Saray, President of the Adhoc human rights organization, commented that the lawsuits between politicians not only show the murkiness of the progress of democracy in Cambodia, but it can also bring dishonor of Cambodia on the international arena as well.
Up to now, a number of lawsuits are being brought up, such as the one brought up the government lawyer against the opposition-leaning Khmer Machas Srok newspaper; the lawsuit against Sam Rainsy brought up by Kep Chuktema, Phnom Penh city governor; the lawsuits against Mrs. Mu Sochua and her lawyer brought up by Hun Sen’s government; the lawsuit brought up against high-ranking army officers against SRP MP Ho Vann.
