Sweden said yesterday it would rethink its engagement with Cambodia if the opposition CNRP is dissolved, in the strongest warning yet from a Western aid donor. The government has filed a lawsuit to dissolve the party after charging its leader, Kem Sokha, with treason last month.

 

Swedish Human Rights Ambassador Annika Ben David told a news conference at the end of a five-day visit the banning of the opposition party could have consequences. “Should the CNRP be dissolved, this will force my government to rethink our engagement with Cambodia,” she said.

 

Other Western countries have expressed concern at the arrest of Mr Sokha and warned against dissolving the CNRP, but have not raised the possibility of action. Ms David did not elaborate on what Sweden might do, but pointed out that Swedish fashion group H&M was an important buyer of clothes from Cambodia’s garment factories.

 

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5087009/cnrp-dispute-may-hurt-ties-sweden/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 20/10

Well done Sweden. As with all tin pot dictators, aid money has a habit of winding up in their and their family's and cronies pockets.

Stop all aid to tin pot dictators who pocket 80% of it anyway. Put H&M on notice that they

should be finding other manufacturing sources outside Cambodia as well.