Letter from the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs concerning opposition leader Sam Rainsy's case

Unofficial translation from French by KI-Media

[French] Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

Political and Security General Office
Asia and Oceania Office
Paris, 26 August 2011

Sir,

Mr. Richard Mallié, the MP from Bouches du Rhone, submitted to the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs your letter dated 26 June 2011 concerning the situation of Cambodia’s opposition party. Mr. Juppé [the minister of Foreign Affairs] has asked me to reply to you.

Mr. Sam Rainsy has lost his parliamentary immunity and has been brought to justice on numerous occasions. He is now sentenced to a total of fourteen years of jail time.

These sentences cannot leave us indifferent [to the situation]. Mindful of the rights of Cambodia’s opposition, France insisted on numerous occasions the importance of ensuring the effective exercise of these rights, in particular in regards to parliamentarians. Our embassy in Phnom Penh, in conjunction with our EU partners, had taken every opportunity to remind the Cambodian authorities on our commitment to democratic debate.

In parallel, during the Universal Periodic Review of established by the Human Rights Council, we have called on the respect political pluralism and on freedom of expression in this country, and [we also] deplored the growing number of decisions aiming at lifting parliamentary immunity on opposition MPs.

Furthermore, I personally receive Mr. Sam Rainsy whenever he asks [to meet me].

I want to assure you that this Ministry will continue to monitor the situation of the Cambodian opposition MPs with utmost vigilance.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Paul Jean-Ortiz