Legitimacy of Hun Sen regime questioned at the European Parliament

March 20, 2013

LEGITIMACY OF HUN SEN REGIME QUESTIONED

AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

MEP Josef Weidenholser

Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Josef Weidenholzer has recently sent the following question on Cambodia to Lady Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy :

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Cambodian media have reported that for the elections scheduled for July 28, 2013 the European Union plans to send two technical support experts. They are supposed to assist the National Election Committee which has been rejected by all opposition forces and the civil society in the country. The National Election Committee has in advance of the upcoming elections in Cambodia deleted from the voters' list and robbed him of his right to stand for the elections Member of Parliament and Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy.

1. What developments in Cambodia have led the High Representative to take this measure (to send the two technical support experts)?
2. Has the Foreign Service of the European Union assessed and addressed the current situation regarding freedom of assembly and freedom of speech in Cambodia, which is an indispensable prerequisite for free elections?
3. Is the High Representative aware that with this decision (to send the two technical support experts), the European Union risks being used as a fig leaf to provide an undemocratic regime with unwarranted legitimacy?

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The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) is grateful to MEP Josef Weidenholzer for his intervention.

CNRP Secretariat-General