Party law changes end Rainsy’s political career

The National Assembly yesterday hammered the last nail into the political coffin of former opposition leader Sam Rainsy when it voted to curb the involvement in party affairs of anyone with a criminal conviction. The National Assembly swiftly passed further amendments to the political parties law yesterday, essentially banning former CNRP leader Sam Rainsy from any political activity.

The amendments to the Law on Political Parties follow previous changes that resulted in Mr Rainsy stepping down as the opposition’s leader. The law was first amended in March, outlawing anyone convicted of crimes from becoming president or deputy president of a political party.

Yesterday’s amendments, which were passed by 66 CPP lawmakers as the CNRP boycotted the session, bar convicts from being affiliated with political parties in any way, including the use of their voice or images. “We have banned all political parties from taking the opportunity for political gain by using pictures of convicts as well as the voices of convicts for political messages,” CPP lawmaker Chheang Vun said during the session.

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