Human Rights Watch has criticised last week’s commune polls, claiming they were not free and fair, despite the vote being praised by international observers and election monitors. Japan, the EU and the US threw their support behind the polls, but Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said the June 4 vote took place in a threatening environment hostile to free speech.

 

“It is not a democratic election if the ruling party controls all election-related institutions, the media is a de facto organ of the ruling party, and opposition party members face death threats from the prime minister,” he said.  “Under no standards anywhere can an election be deemed free or fair where these kinds of problems exist.”

 

A report published by Human Rights Watch yesterday said the election came as dozens of opposition activists languish behind bars, due to politically motivated prosecutions by CPP-controlled courts.  Although voting day was peaceful, the electoral process was fundamentally flawed, the report said. 

 

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/39306/hrw-slams--unfair--commune-polls/

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 14/06

How come the Japanese, EU and US monitors missed all this and the HRW director didn't?

 

How come those countries and collection of countries still support a former terrorist dictator who openly oppresses free speech and any opposition whilst placing his family in key roles?

 

Ah, no oil there.