Australian Broadcasting Corporation
An internationally acclaimed Cambodian social activist has launched a political party to contest next year's national election.
Kem Sokha has formally applied to the Interior Ministry to stand in the 2008 poll as head of the newly formed Human Rights Party.
The former president of the Cambodia Centre for Human Rights was jailed in 2005, charged with defamation for allegedly accusing the government of ceding territory to Vietnam.
Cambodia's Information Minister Khieu Kanharith has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program, the ruling Cambodian People's Party welcomes the latest addition to the political landscape.
"In Cambodia anybody can form a political party and that's why this new political party will add more diversity to the democratic horizon in Cambodia," he said.
International rights groups have also hailed Kem Sokha as a welcome newcomer to Cambodian politics.
Kem Sokha has formally applied to the Interior Ministry to stand in the 2008 poll as head of the newly formed Human Rights Party.
The former president of the Cambodia Centre for Human Rights was jailed in 2005, charged with defamation for allegedly accusing the government of ceding territory to Vietnam.
Cambodia's Information Minister Khieu Kanharith has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program, the ruling Cambodian People's Party welcomes the latest addition to the political landscape.
"In Cambodia anybody can form a political party and that's why this new political party will add more diversity to the democratic horizon in Cambodia," he said.
International rights groups have also hailed Kem Sokha as a welcome newcomer to Cambodian politics.
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