Opposition to boycott meeting

Members of the opposition CNRP have decided to boycott the National Assembly’s (NA) plenary session today, saying amendments to the law on political parties which are being debated today will lead to national disunity and run contrary to democratic principles. Son Chhay, a senior CNRP parliamentarian, said the party does not support the request to amend the law on political parties, which was proposed by CPP members earlier this year.
 

CNRP members are concerned about the law, Mr. Chhay said, because it may divide the country, is not aligned with the “will” of the Cambodian people, was done in a hurry without proper debate and consultation and is primarily intended to oppress and destroy the opposition party. Opposition party officials pointed to article 44 of the amendments, which says the court can dissolve any political party that “causes separation, sabotages democracy, undermines the state’s security, creates forces, incites people leading to national disunity and is controlled by foreign governments or political parties.”
 

Other amendments state that political parties are prohibited from receiving donations in any form from foreign institutions, companies or governments and courts are allowed to prohibit political parties and their leaders from any involvement in politics for a period of five years. “The CNRP parliamentarians have decided not to attend the plenary session because this law is bad and may affect democracy in Cambodia,” Mr. Chhay said.

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