Cambodia's opposition welcomes United Nations call for political reconciliation

 December 16, 2011

CAMBODIA'S OPPOSITION WELCOMES UNITED NATIONS CALL FOR POLITICAL RECONCILIATION

CPP Must Implement Steps to Improve the Electoral System

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy has welcomed the call by the
United Nations human rights envoy Surya Subedi for reconciliation
between his party and the ruling CPP in the interests of democracy.

Subedi said during his six-day visit to Cambodia that a concerted
effort towards building bridges by the government and the opposition
would strengthen the process of democratization.

Echoing the findings of the European Union observers in 2008, Subedi
said that the government needs to take steps to ensure that free and
fair elections take place next year and in 2013. He added that he was
particularly concerned about political parties being denied access to
the mass media, as well as allegations that civil servants, the
military and police have taken part in political campaigning using
government resources.

Subedi will make specific recommendations on how to improve the
country's electoral system. Refusal by the Hun Sen government to
accept these recommendations would render the coming elections
meaningless.

In that event the international community must refuse to send
observers to monitor the elections -- there is no point in watching a
foregone conclusion unfold.

Foreign governments and lenders must step up pressure on the Hun Sen
government to deliver meaningful democracy.

The risk of losing international recognition and financing will push
the government to improve the electoral process and give Cambodians a
chance of expressing their will.

Sam Rainsy, the leader of Cambodia's largest opposition party, is
living in exile in France to avoid being sent to prison on trumped up
political charges. His presence in Cambodia before 2013 is necessary
to ensure a serious challenge to Hun Sen and to render the elections
credible.

Sam Rainsy confirms that his party is willing to respond positively to
the appeal for reconciliation from the United Nations and hopes that
the CPP will also show the goodwill that is necessary to achieving
democracy in Cambodia.


SRP Members of Parliament