CNRP Boycotts National Assembly Session

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All the elected members of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) boycotted the National Assembly (NA) session on Friday, while 67 members of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) were at the NA to approve draft laws. Speaking at a press conference on Friday at the CNRP headquarters, spokesman Yim Sovann said his party received information from reliable sources that their safety would be under threat if they attended the NA. 

“The latest information we had from reliable sources was that there were threats to CNRP leaders and members and that is why we collected all the information and held a meeting. We decided that all the CNRP members would not join the session this morning,” he said, adding that his party would consider joining the next session. If the sessions are not necessary, and there is not a good political environment, they will continue their boycott, he said. 

However, Mr. Sovann denied that the CNRP had boycotted its work at the NA and said Friday’s non-appearance was only because of concerns for his members’ safety.  Inside the NA, CPP members continued their work to approve draft laws and NA President Heng Samrin read the royal message from King Norodom Sihamoni to open the session. 

 

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-- © Copyright Khmer Times 07/10

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Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen registers his attendance at the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Oct. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Friday the National Assembly works normally, although the opposition party lawmakers continue boycotting the assembly's plenary session.

"At this time, the National Assembly's session is underway, which is the normal process of the legislative body," he wrote on his official Facebook page Friday morning while attending the session.

"Even if the cock doesn't crow, sun still rises," the prime minister wrote. "(The National Assembly) is not the hostage of any group."

Friday's session was attended by sixty-seven lawmakers from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP).

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (L, front) and other ruling Cambodian People's Party lawmakers attend the National Assembly's plenary session in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Oct. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) lawmakers have sat out the full National Assembly sessions since May to protest a court case brought against CNRP deputy leader Kem Sokha.

On Sept. 9, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced, in absentia, Sokha to five months in prison for "refusal to appear" in court over a prostitution case involving his alleged mistress. Sokha filed an appeal against the guilty verdict on Wednesday.

Sokha has been holed up at the CNRP's headquarters on the southern outskirts of Phnom Penh since May 26 in fear of arrest, as dozens of his loyalists have gathered at the party headquarters to protect him.

However, he briefly left the party headquarters for the first time on Wednesday morning to register for upcoming elections at a voter registration centre nearby the party.

Authorities have said they will not arrest Sokha until the appeals process is ended.

CNRP's leader Sam Rainsy has been living in self-imposed exile in France since November last year to avoid a two-year prison sentence over a defamation conviction.

The current National Assembly consists of 123 seats, including 68 from the CPP and 55 from the CNRP.

source http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/07/c_135736403.htm