Cambodian opposition vows bigger protests against PM

[geovalin]

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) vowed on Friday to lead larger protests against Prime Minister Hun Sen's government as its daily protests entered sixth day.

"If don't want to see the protests become bigger, you must hold a re-election or step down," CNRP's Vice President Kem Sokha spoke to the rally of about 5,000 supporters at the capital's Freedom Park.

"In a democratic society, the government has to respect the will of the people."

CNRP's President Sam Rainsy called on people throughout the country to join the party's daily protests in the capital, saying the party firmly vows to demand Premier Hun Sen's government for a re-vote.

"We have to find justice for the people," he said.

Earlier in the day, Hun Sen said that he would neither step down nor hold a re-election despite ongoing opposition protests

"I have ascended to the prime minister through the constitution. If I descend, it will also be through the constitution," Hun Sen told reporters after a parliamentary session.

"Therefore, I confirm that there is no a re-election because no one can dissolve the National Assembly and no mechanism states about a snap election before the end of the term."

According to the article 78 of the constitution, he said, the National Assembly shall not be dissolved before the end of its five-year term, except when the royal government is twice deposed within a period of twelve months.

"So, in Cambodia, the Prime Minister, the King, and the National Assembly itself have no rights to dissolve the parliament, " he said.

The premier also warned to take legal action against protesters if they block highways or capture government buildings in order to force him to step down.

"The government will not agree with any unlawful actions that can cause instability to the nation and the people," he said.

Political dispute between the Hun Sen's ruling party and the Sam Rainsy's opposition party has persisted since the July's election results which showed that the ruling party won a majority of vote with 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for the opposition.

The opposition refused to accept the outcomes, claiming serious irregularities and has boycotted parliament in order to call for Prime Minister Hun Sen to hold a re-election or to step down.

source

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/833303.shtml

[geovalin]

PHNOM PENH — Anti-government rallies continued for a fifth day in Phnom Penh Thursday, steadily growing in numbers as the vice president of the opposition traveled outside the capital to lead demonstrations in the provinces.

Supporters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party rode motor scooters through Phnom Penh, many adorned with placards that called for Prime Minister Hun Sen to step down.

“Hun Sen must go!” read one sign. “Hun Sen must step down!” read another.

Thousands of people have joined the non-stop rallies that began Sunday, angered by July’s election results and the political deadlock that has followed.

The opposition now is calling for a new election, following a loss in July’s polls that leaders say came from irregularities and fraud that cost them hundreds of thousands of votes. The Rescue Party officially won 55 of 123 National Assembly seats, but its lawmakers have refused to join the government without credible investigations into the fraud allegations.

“There must be a re-election to follow the people’s will,” Rescue Party President Sam Rainsy told VOA Khmer Thursday. “The will of the people was defrauded.”

Rescue Party Vice President Kem Sokha did not join Thursday’s rally in Phnom Penh. Sam Rainsy told supporters that Kem Sokha was traveling outside the city to gather more support in rural areas.

Tit Phanna, 58, a Cambodian-American from Los Angeles, said he had joined the rally to “restore our nation.” Deforestation and mining were major concerns, he said, blaming the administration of Hun Sen.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said Thursday that rallies aimed at overthrowing the government are “unlawful.” The government will “take action against anyone who has plans to topple the government,” he said.

source

http://www.voacambodia.com/content/opposition-rallies-gaining-in-number/1813709.html

[Sheryl]

RT @doyle_kevin 14:10 Opposition rally today in Phnom Penh is equal is size to huge rallies ahead of July national election - shouts of "Hun Sen Get Out!"

RT@vinkjohn14:12 REALLY BIG: CNRP ready for heavy push to oust Hun Sen pic.twitter.com/nm5S5iqLgl

[Sheryl]

RT @doyle_kevin 15:20 Need to seriously revise my earlier crowd estimate upward from 10k as march builds on Monivong blvd in both traffic lanes (20k?)

[Sheryl]

RT@phnompenhpost RT @chadlaca 18:45 City Hall spokesman estimates 100,000 protesters at today's CNRP rally.

If true this was the largest demonstration in the country's history.