Press Release on The Process of the Electoral Reform

Press Release on The Process of the Electoral Reform

Wednesday, 12 March 2014 12:06

Electoral Reform Alliance (ERA) would like to express its disappointment of with the meeting of the joint commission of the two political parties on the 10 of March 2014 which reached (substantial) result.

The joint commission must prepare an action plan for the electoral reform with clear timelines.

The joint commission must establish specific technical sub commissions to commence working on the agreed-upon election reform areas:

1.    National Election Committee
2.    Voter registration and voter list
3.    Media
4.    Electoral dispute resolution
5.    Enactment of law on political finance

The joint commission must meet more often in order to show genuine commitment to solve the problems of national interests.

The joint commission must focus on electoral reform areas that were agreed upon by the two parties.

For more information:
1.    Mr. Ny Chakrya        Head of monitoring section of ADHOC  011 27 49 59
2.    Mrs. Ros Sopheap     Executive Director of GADC         012 62 78 57
3.    Mr. Preab Kol        Executive Director of TIC        012 877 833
4.    Mr. Hang Puthea         Executive Director of NICFEC    012 95 96 66
5.    Mr. Yang Kim Eng     President of PDP-Center         016 82 82 11
6.    Mr. Koul Panha         Executive Director of COMFREL     012 94 20 17
7.    Mr. Sok Pitour        President of YCC            017 27 33 03
8.    Mr. Kean Ponlork        Vice President of DHRAC         012 55 14 66
9.    Mr. Hong Kimsuon    Chairman of CISA            012 94 55 05
10.    Mr. Pa Ngoun Teang    Executive Director of CCIM         060 40 99 99
11.    Mr. Yeng Virak         Executive Director of CLEC         012 80 12 35

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Independent UN expert welcomes electoral reform agreement in Cambodia

Op-Ed: UNs

Independent UN expert welcomes electoral reform agreement in Cambodia

Surya P. Subedi, Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Cambodia. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

6 March 2014 – An independent United Nations human rights expert hailed a five-point agreement reached today by Cambodia’s two main political parties to initiate electoral reforms in the country towards a more transparent process, and greater freedom of expression and right to public assembly.

“I welcome the agreements reached by the Joint Committee composed of members of the Cambodian People’s Party and the Cambodian National Rescue Party to proceed, among other things, on two concrete measures for electoral reform: to review the voter registry and to elaborate a draft law on the financing of political parties,” said Surya P. Subedi, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia.

“I hope with cautious optimism that progress toward the remaining unresolved issues would soon be made between the two parties.”

In a news release, Mr. Subedi stressed the importance of the agreement for the country, noting that the matters to be discussed by both political parties “are of concern to all Cambodians [and] are issues on which all Cambodians have the fundamental human right to express themselves, whether through demonstrations, marches or other means.”

Members of the opposition have been boycotting the Cambodian National Assembly since the middle of last year in a reported attempt to oust Prime Minister Hun Sen, whose win in July extended his 28-year rule, alleging vote-rigging and calling for a new election. The boycott escalated into demonstrations and deadly clashes with the police. A ban on demonstration was subsequently imposed in the Kingdom shortly thereafter.

Mr. Subedi welcomed the announcement made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on 25 February to lift the ban. “Since its imposition, I have urged the Royal Government to remove the ban, which in my view was contrary to Cambodia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and its own constitution,” he said, though expressing concerns that some demonstrations may “continue to be blocked,” and persons are “still routinely detained for distributing leaflets encouraging workers to strike.”

Stating that the right to demonstrate and mobilize people to take part in demonstrations is “part and parcel of the right to peaceful assembly,” he emphasized that “the practice of arbitrarily detaining persons until they thumbprint a document agreeing to refrain from participating in future demonstrations is a violation of multiple human rights and must cease.”

Read more…


CNRP to walk away from talks

CNRP to walk away from talks

Thu, 13 March 2014

Negotiations between the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party and ruling Cambodian People’s Party looked like they might screech to an abrupt halt yesterday, as opposition leaders visiting supporters in Tbong Khmum province said they will “cut off” talks.

Speaking to about 1,000 supporters in the province’s O’Raing Ov district yesterday, CNRP president Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha said the talks were a “useless” attempt to “dupe foreign countries” into continuing to provide aid and called for renewed demonstrations.

“First, we stop negotiations. The talks are useless, because this [CPP working] group just delays [proceedings] to dupe foreign countries,” Rainsy said. “They said that the [Cambodia] National Rescue Party and [Cambodian] People’s Party have already agreed to negotiate, so give us money.

“So we will cut off negotiations and tell foreign countries not to give the money to [Prime Minister Hun Sen] the thief,” Rainsy said.

He added that dialogue would not restart until the CPP proved itself serious about National Election Committee reform – namely, by agreeing to key CNRP demands that NEC members should require approval by two-thirds of parliament and that it should be a constitutionally mandated body.

“When the NEC [will be] changed, we will talk more,” he said. “This time, there is not any choice besides [holding another] demonstration. So please all [citizens] prepare yourselves to hold a mass demonstration . . . to have 2 million people.”

Cheam Yeap, a senior CPP lawmaker, yesterday called on the CNRP to continue the talks, adding that the CNRP “cannot use demonstrations as a basis to resolve the problem”.

He said the government had no plans to reform the NEC until the next mandate.

“The NEC could change in the next mandate. We will not change it now,” he said.

Despite the public announcement of an end to talks by the CNRP leadership, senior party officials in Phnom Penh yesterday could not confirm whether negotiations – which include a planned Monday meeting of a joint election reform committee – were actually being called off.

Read more…


Dual citizenship for lawmakers attacked

Dual citizenship for lawmakers attacked

Wed, 12 March 2014

Legistation should be amended to prohibit elected officials from taking office if they hold dual citizenship, according to senior Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap.

Yeap on Monday said that the office of prime minister should be reserved exclusively for Cambodian nationals, but yesterday expanded the call to include all elected lawmakers.

“For the seat of the prime minister and for lawmakers, they should have only Cambodian citizenship in order to ensure their loyalty,” he said.

Yeap admitted that some CPP elected officials hold dual citizenship, but said he was unaware of the exact number.

“I am not sure how many CPP officials hold dual citizenship, but I know it is not many.”

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party yesterday hit back at Yeap’s comments, saying that a more pressing issue the CPP should look at was illegal immigration.

Yim Sovann, CNRP spokesman, said that the granting of economic land concessions to “foreigners” and the flow of immigrants from abroad should be a higher priority.

“I think the CPP should pay attention to illegal immigrants … and human rights abuses,” he said. “Foreigners come here to control the land, [the government gives] 99-year land concessions to the foreigners. This is the real issue.”

Sok Sam Oeun of the Cambodian Defenders Project pointed to the apparent hypocrisy of a senior CPP official making such a statement, when elected CPP representatives hold foreign passports. “If they pass this law, it’s against the unity of all Khmer people. What about the former prime minister exiled in another country? Do they commit a crime?” he asked.

“I think many CPP [officials hold dual citizenship]. Chheang Vun is also from abroad. He holds two nationalities. I think [Minister of Commerce] Sun Chantol [is] also from abroad.”

Read more…


Thank you letter responding to H.E.John Baird of Canada

Dear Mr. Baird;
Thank you letter to H.E.John Baird of CanadaThank you very much for taking time to respond to us concerning the Election Irregularities and the latest political development in Cambodia. Many Cambodians and their diasporas in North America have relentlessly advocated for free, fair and just election in Cambodia. They have petitioned to the United Nations particularly the co-signatory countries of Paris Peace Agreement in 23 October 1991 to help enforce the ruling Cambodian People’s Party to abide by the national constitution and the international laws.

Recently, the government-led party used national security arm-force to beat and shoot those worker protesters from various garment factories who demanded the increase of decent wage of $160US per month.

There are remaining huge challenges of impunity in this country. There have been continual of extra-judicial killing, arresting and jailing in this country.  As the result from the protesting disperse with arm-force, the government is still jailing 21 workers and unionists, and ban the freedom of assembly in which more than 9 people grouping together is prohibited.

We, the Cambodian-Canadians are desperate to seeing the continual violation of human rights in Cambodia.

We would like to submit our gratitude to the Canadian Government that has renewed support of political institution development, the rule of laws, and the ongoing peaceful negotiation between CNRP and CPP to tackle the problem of election flaws in order to conduct in-dept reform of this electoral institution to be acceptable from all stakeholders.

At the moment, the Cambodian diaporas worldwide have also been collecting the petition from our bothers and sisters to demand the right to vote in Cambodia national election so that we can participate with social, economic and political development in Cambodia.

Yours Truly,

Seng Sophoan
Project Team Leader of CEROC
(Commission for Election Right of Oversea Cambodians)
Email: petition@khmeroversea.info
http://www.khmeroversea.info


Letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada

Seng Sophoan and Co-signatories

sophanse@gmail.com

Dear Seng Sophoan and Co-signatories:Letter from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada

Thank you for your correspondence of August 16, 2013, expressing your concerns regarding the elections in the Kingdom of Cambodia. I regret the delay in replying to you.

The Government of Canada closely followed events in Cambodia. Canada encourages all sides to seek a peaceful and transparent resolution to the disputes pertaining to the election results.

The Government of Canada has been involved in several projects in Cambodia, including programs aimed at developing democratic institutions by improving the capacity of the National Assembly, the Senate and electoral institutions.Letter of Appealing to the Government of Canada 1

Canada will continue to encourage democracy and the rule of law in Cambodia. Canadian officials will continue to monitor developments in Cambodia and raise specific concerns with Cambodian authorities.

Thank you for taking the time to write and share your concerns.

Sincerely,

 

John Baird, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Foreign Affairs