Canada concern on the lifting of immunity of SRP MPs

In a reply to concerns raised by Cambodian-Canadian citizens about the lifting of immunity of 3 SRP Members of Parliament - Sam Rainsy, Cheam Channy and Chea Poch - the Honourable Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada sent the following reply message expressing the importance that Canadians attach to good governance, democracy and the rule of law in Cambodia.

From: min.dfaitmaeci@international.gc.ca
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@yahoo.ca
Cc: MLellan.A@parl.gc.ca
Subject: A18597-2005 IN REPLY TO YOUR E-MAIL OF FEBRUARY 2, 2005
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2005 13:44:32 -0500

Mr. Chinlong Hak

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@yahoo.ca
c.c. McLellan.A@parl.gc.ca

Dear Mr. Hak:

Your Member of Parliament, the Honourable Anne McLellan, has forwarded to me your e-mail of February 2, 2005, regarding the lifting of parliamentary immunity from opposition party members in Cambodia. I regret the delay in replying to you.

Foreign Affairs Canada is aware of these events and has been following political developments in Cambodia closely. We share your concerns for Cambodian democracy and for the welfare of these opposition party members, and have made Cambodian authorities aware of our position on this matter. Shortly after the parliamentary immunity of Sam Rainsy, Cheam Channy and Chea Poch was lifted, the Canadian Ambassador to Cambodia raised these issues in a letter to His Royal Highness Prince Norodom Ranariddh. The Ambassador also attended the trial of Cheam Channy on August 9, 2005, and will continue to follow his case closely.

Canada remains committed to supporting democracy and good governance in Cambodia. During Cambodia's most recent elections, held in July 2003, Canada contributed $500,000 to the election process via the United Nations Development Fund. In addition, a small monitoring team of locally based Canadians, led by the Canadian Ambassador to Cambodia, helped to ensure that the election was fair and credible. Furthermore, Canada encourages long term efforts to foster the democratic transformation of Cambodian institutions; the Canadian International Development Agency funds a variety of initiatives in support of good governance and democratic practice in Cambodia. Canada has also committed $2 million to fund the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia to try surviving Khmer Rouge leaders, which will further contribute to fostering values of justice and responsible governance. We will maintain our monitoring of the situation in Cambodia and will encourage the Cambodian government to continue to improve its respect for democratic principles and the rule of law.

I assure you that the importance that Canadians attach to good governance, democracy and the rule of law will continue to inform our efforts as we further our bilateral relationship with Cambodia.

Thank you again for keeping me informed of your concerns.

Sincerely,

Pierre S. Pettigrew