Forty-five countries urge Cambodia to conduct free vote, release opposition leader

 

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen reacts to a journalist's question as he walks with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull before the start of their bilateral meeting during the one-off summit of 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Sydney, Australia, March 16, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray

 

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Forty-five countries called on Cambodia on Wednesday to reinstate the main opposition party, release its jailed leader and ensure a July general election is free and fair.

 

A statement on the human rights situation in Cambodia read by New Zealand on behalf of a group of 45 countries, including the United States, Germany, Australia and United Kingdom, said previous optimism had been "replaced by deep concern" regarding a decline in civil and political rights in Cambodia.

 

The statement, which was read to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, urged Cambodia's government to reinstate the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) and all elected members.

 

Dozens of opposition lawmakers were banned when Cambodia's Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP last year in a ruling that was widely condemned by the international community.

 

That decision followed the arrest of CNRP leader Kem Sokha last September. Kem Sokha has been charged with treason, accused of colluding with Americans to overthrow the Cambodian government. He denies the charges and the U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh has also denied the accusation.

 

Kem Sokha faces 30 years in prison if convicted.

 

Prime Minister Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia for 33 years.

 

He is a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected from the genocidal group and helped drive it from power in 1979, and is credited with helping Cambodia achieve economic growth, but has been criticized for his crackdown on critics and the media.

 

"We call on the Royal Government of Cambodia to take all measures necessary, before it is too late, to ensure that the 2018 elections are free, fair and credible," the statement said.

 

"We are particularly concerned about the conditions under which opposition leader Kem Sokha is being detained following his arbitrary arrest: he is reportedly in isolation, without adequate access to health care, subjected to intrusive observation, and other conditions, such as constant light."

 

"We call for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Kem Sokha."

 

The group raised concerns about a government crackdown on freedom of expression that has extended to independent media and non-governmental organizations.

 

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said Cambodia won't comply with demands made by foreign countries.

 

"We are equally members of the United Nations," Phay Siphan told Reuters. "This is a violation of Cambodia's sovereignty."

 

"We will hold elections according to what Cambodians want, based on Cambodian laws," he added.

 

(Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Michael Perry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-03-22

Don't let Trump know US was on side of human rights... he has enough on his plate already

Get rid of that murdering Khmer Rouge, Hun Sen,  would a step in the right direction

Doesn't matter what 45 nations want, it only matters what China wants.

54 minutes ago, cycolista said:

Doesn't matter what 45 nations want, it only matters what China wants.

Democracy.... where the minority rules the majority..... 45 nations is only about 25% of the world......Thought it unusual that nations would involve themselves in domestic affairs of other nations.....

 

 

He should have been held in Australia and jailed on a oil rig with no food

6 hours ago, cycolista said:

Doesn't matter what 45 nations want, it only matters what China wants.

China are nothing. Muppets wiped out by 3 countries over night. Gone 

I know a lot of Cambodians, and none of them want him.  Tie him to a pole and let the people have justice