15 April 2007By Sok Serei
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
The Cambodian Ministry of Interior (MoI) plans to look into the application made by Kem Sokha, the former president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), to form a political party named “Human Rights Party”. A decision will be given by the MoI after the Khmer New Year following the delivery of the application last week.
An anonymous source from the MoI who is involved in the review of the application, said that this application is not an issue as it is conforming to the law for the formation of a political party.
The same source said that the application will be sent to Sar Kheng, the Minister of interior, for review and final approval after the Khmer New Year.
Kem Sokha applied for the formation a new political party which he named “Human Rights Party”, last week, in order to compete in the upcoming 2008 general election.
Kem Sokha is currently visiting Canada after completing his visit in the USA recently. The goal of the visits is for Kem Sokha to meet with overseas Cambodians living in these countries, and to ask for financial support from his Cambodian supporters.
Kem Sokha could not be contacted yet to comment on the outcome of his visit to the USA. However, in an interview with RFA recently, he said that he received a lot of support from both Cambodians living overseas and those living inside Cambodia who love democracy. He also said that his goal for the formation of this new party is to unite the democrats and those who love freedom.
Kem Sokha said: “To serve the interest of democracy was my goal when I was serving at the CCHR. I wanted real democracy and freedom in the country.”
He also claimed that between 200 and 500,000 Cambodians are supporting him inside Cambodia.
Chrea Sochenda, opposition SRP MP, commented that if Kem Sokha’s new party serves democracy just like the Sam Rainsy Party, then the two parties could cooperate with each other, and could work together.
MP Chrea Sochenda said: “For SRP, we welcome all political parties which abide by democratic principles like us, but in general, SRP has no concern about anybody forming a political party, or about any personality forming his party…”
Hang Puthea, Nicfec executive director, said that the formation of the new party conforms to the constitution, however it could create another hurdle for Cambodian people living in the countryside as they will have to struggle to identify which party is truly a good party. People living in the country need to be able to recognize that party and its activities in order to be able to make a decision during the upcoming 2008 general election.
An anonymous source from the MoI who is involved in the review of the application, said that this application is not an issue as it is conforming to the law for the formation of a political party.
The same source said that the application will be sent to Sar Kheng, the Minister of interior, for review and final approval after the Khmer New Year.
Kem Sokha applied for the formation a new political party which he named “Human Rights Party”, last week, in order to compete in the upcoming 2008 general election.
Kem Sokha is currently visiting Canada after completing his visit in the USA recently. The goal of the visits is for Kem Sokha to meet with overseas Cambodians living in these countries, and to ask for financial support from his Cambodian supporters.
Kem Sokha could not be contacted yet to comment on the outcome of his visit to the USA. However, in an interview with RFA recently, he said that he received a lot of support from both Cambodians living overseas and those living inside Cambodia who love democracy. He also said that his goal for the formation of this new party is to unite the democrats and those who love freedom.
Kem Sokha said: “To serve the interest of democracy was my goal when I was serving at the CCHR. I wanted real democracy and freedom in the country.”
He also claimed that between 200 and 500,000 Cambodians are supporting him inside Cambodia.
Chrea Sochenda, opposition SRP MP, commented that if Kem Sokha’s new party serves democracy just like the Sam Rainsy Party, then the two parties could cooperate with each other, and could work together.
MP Chrea Sochenda said: “For SRP, we welcome all political parties which abide by democratic principles like us, but in general, SRP has no concern about anybody forming a political party, or about any personality forming his party…”
Hang Puthea, Nicfec executive director, said that the formation of the new party conforms to the constitution, however it could create another hurdle for Cambodian people living in the countryside as they will have to struggle to identify which party is truly a good party. People living in the country need to be able to recognize that party and its activities in order to be able to make a decision during the upcoming 2008 general election.
3 comments:
Kem Sokha should ask the money from Hun Sen since he tries to help Hunsen to split the vote. He now become Hunsen II to beg money and tries to poised Khmer people w/those money.
All non-communist parties shall be as one. They're all should rally behind the SRP, since this party is increasingly popular. You can say that. The situation for the non-CPP is: 'Too many chiefs with no Indians by American Standard'
"To be or Not to be". What come
after that, folks? I forgot.
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