Recommendations to U.S. Secretary of State from Cambodia’s Parliamentary
Opposition
Meeting between opposition MPs and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
From left to right: US Ambassador Carol Rodley, SRP MP Mu Sochua, SRP MP Son
Chhay, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (Photo: US Embassy in Cambodia)
2 November, 2010
RECOMMENDATIONS TO U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE
FROM CAMBODIA’S PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION
Call for Action to Set Democracy on Track
At a meeting held on 1 November, 2010 in Phnom Penh with four Members of
Parliament from the Sam Rainsy Party and two from the Human Rights Party, U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton strongly reaffirmed the US administration’s
support for a strong opposition, for an independent judiciary and the
protection of human rights.
The opposition Members of Parliament stressed that the process of peace
building or conflict resolution and democracy is built on the promotion and
protection of democratic values and principles, such as pluralism, equal
representation, and participation. When elected representatives of the people
have lost their rights to represent their constituents and live in constant
fear of prosecution, the foundation for a liberal democracy system is uprooted.
The opposition has been painted as a weak opposition force while the ruling
party has been praised for their ability to maintain stability and law and
order.
At the same time as the ruling party manages to weaken the political structure,
it has shown little political will to allow institutions to be reformed and is
showing growing intolerance of criticism and advocacy by the civil society,
trade unions and local non-governmental organizations. Democratization must be
inclusive as every voice is of most crucial importance in the next steps
towards building a democratic society that include all parties in preventing
conflicts.
The international community has been tolerant of the unmet government’s
promises and unacceptable practices to which the Cambodian people fall victims.
The loss of judicial integrity and of other public institutions including the
police and armed forces to spread fear among activists, detain human rights
defenders and attack opposition parties are real cause for great concern. The
main objective of such form of governance is to weaken opposing voices and
forces but not to totally eliminate them as so the façade of democracy can be
maintained.
The representatives of the opposition in Cambodia urge the United States, other
signatory countries and donor institutions to take the following measures and
mechanisms to ensure the provisions enshrined by the Paris Agreements.
The specific recommendations for the United States are to:
1.. Support the role and existence of a Loyal Opposition whose leader has the
legal and fundamental right to defend and protect the people without fear of
prosecution. It is a Loyal Opposition that is allocated a budget and sufficient
technical resources and a Loyal Opposition that has access to information and
the power for checks and balances. It is a Loyal Opposition that can have
access to state media to communicate with the people;
2.. Support the principles of free and fair elections. A seal of recognition
of elections that fall below international standards has grave consequences to
democracy and can further legitimize dictatorship.
3.. Re-activate and continue its assistance to programs to raise public
awareness of corruption and the strengthening of national institutions to put
an end to the system of patronage so that quality of public services can be
guaranteed for the benefit of the people.
4.. Ensure that Cambodian armed forces trained by the United States are not
involved in cracking down on demonstrators, workers and government critics.
Secretary Clinton urged the opposition to hold further talks with the U.S.
Ambassador to Cambodia, Carol Rodley for specific ways for the US government to
address the needs of the opposition and civil society.
The visit of Secretary Clinton at the heels of UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon’s visit is a historic event and a strong signal of support for human
rights and democracy in Cambodia.
Sam Rainsy Party
Cabinet
-------------------
Interview with SRP MP Mu Sochua regarding Hillary Clinton’s visit to Cambodia
Opposition MPs' meeting with US Secretary of State at the US ambassador's
residence in Phnom Penh (Photo: US Embassy in Cambodia)
02 November 2010
By Chivita
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soy
During the official visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Phnom
Penh on 01 November, besides meeting with Cambodian government leaders and
students, Mrs. Clinton – the wife of former US President Bill Clinton – also
met with opposition officials.
What were the topics of their discussion?
Please listen to SRP MP Mu Sochua who was interviewed by RFA’s Chivita below:
Click here to listen to Part 1 of the interview (MP3)
Click here to listen to Part 2 of the interview (MP3)
(If you have difficulties with the links above, click here to listen on RFA
website)
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