ASEAN MPs call on Cambodian government to end persecution of opposition
JAKARTA, 30 November 2015 – The Cambodian government must immediately reinstate Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) President Sam Rainsy and Vice President Kem Sokha to their positions in the National Assembly, drop all charges against Rainsy, and take measures to ensure the security and freedom of opposition MPs and activists, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said today.
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“The situation is extremely concerning to parliamentarians from across Southeast Asia,” said APHR Chairperson and Malaysian MP Charles Santiago.
“The international community, including ASEAN, must make clear that these actions are unacceptable—for the sake of Cambodia and the wider region. If collective pressure does not mount against the Cambodian government, other regional leaders will feel empowered to act in a similarly hostile and arbitrary manner toward their critics.”
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“It is imperative that ASEAN and the wider international community take clear action in opposition to these attacks and intimidation. They should also support efforts to ensure that free and fair elections are able to proceed in Cambodia as scheduled in 2018,” said CNRP parliamentarian Mu Sochua, who is also a member of APHR.
“The future of Cambodian democracy is at stake. The ruling authorities must understand that the rest of the world stands firmly on the side of free expression in Cambodia and supports the right of all candidates to stand for election.”
សភាសិទ្ធិមនុស្សអាស៊ានអំពាវនាវឱ្យកម្ពុជាបញ្ឈប់ការធ្វើទុក្ខបុកម្នេញបក្សប្រឆាំង
