Sophoan Seng with H.E.Sam Rainsy for the CEROC Campaign in Canada
During the visiting of H.E. Sam Rainsy to Calgary in May 23, 2015, Mr. Sophoan Seng, the leader of the CEROC, met and discussed with H.E. Sam Rainsy about the right to vote of Khmers overseas during the important gathering with hundred participants at James Jack High School.
Answering to many stunning questions on demanding right to vote of those participants, H.E. Sam Rainsy wholeheartedly supported the campaign and whenever CNRP lead the government, he shall push for the endorsement of allowing Cambodians overseas to vote in Cambodia elections.
Dear Sophoan, i want to have my opinion on your CEROC’s mission for the rights to vote for Khmers living overseas to participate in Cambodia’s national election process. It is unheard of any democratic country in world today that had this kind of laws in practice that allowing those who’s holding dual citizenship entitled to vote for two separate countries….I know for the fact that here in United State, there are over 140 different nations of people of all races and colors are holding dual citizenship and they can “ONLY” allow to cast their ballot in a country which they are living. If American government allowing their citizens who’s holding dual citizenship to participate and cast their ballot for other country this will be a treason against the country that they sworn in “to bear arm and defense the nation” if and when country is at war…I’m sure in Canada is also a nation with many different people from all over the world who immigrated and resettled there in Canada as their second country and many of them are holding dual citizenship, and do you know of a Canadian laws that allowing their citizen to participate and cast their ballot in an other country where they came from? …Maybe it will be happened in Cambodia when CNRP win the next national election?…that’s a very long shot and a promised from Sam Rainsy which he could’t deliver to the people…Sam Rainsy himself is holding dual citizenship and he needs to give up one if he is truly a Khmer patriotic for the people and the nation….it’s so much that CNRP’s leaders and members of the parliament must do to make changes to the existing Cambodia’s national constitutional laws…so far, it did not happened and what make even worse that CNRP help to amend the existing NEC and NGO’s laws much worse than before…Without “Freedom of Press and Freedom of Speech” Cambodia will never be a free and democratic country for as long as military is in control and in charge of by a dictator leader Hun Sen….all order political parties even when they will win the next national election…the party who have the Arm Forces behind will always be a winner and that’s the true reality for Cambodia…
Dear Louk Montha;
Thank you very much for taking time to write comments including concerns, doubts, and questions.
Regarding concerns on dual citizens can vote in other countries or not, I would like to invite you to read this link: http://petition.khmeroversea.info/dual-citizenship-cambodia/ so that the concerns on “obligation, freedom and responsibilities of dual citizens” may be shed some light.
Regarding doubts on voting from abroad is a reality or not, I would like to invite you to read following document: http://petition.khmeroversea.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Vote-from-Abroad-by-Idea.pdf on page 12, the countries you mentioned allowed their people to vote from abroad.
Regarding question on if dual citizens can vote in two countries, they could conduct other illegal activities, or like you use the term “treason against their country”, is not relevant. Prof. Suriya Subedi while he was special rapporteur of Human Rights for Cambodia, he plead Cambodian government to allow Cambodians overseas to vote as Cambodia constitution recognizes dual citizenship. For many Cambodian politicians/law-makers have obtained both Cambodian and American citizenship. Those have voted both in Cambodia and in the United States.
I hope this could decode some of your concerns, doubts, and questions. I am happy to pen all future comments you can subscribe.
Sincerely,
Sophoan Seng
The CEROC
…I’m sure many of you in CEROC already know and had listen to the WKR’s daily broadcasting and you could hear many CNRP’s supporters voices their opinion from all across the country in regarding to present political changes in the past few months and where they are standing with the CNRP’s leaders right now….and many voices suggest that a new political party should form to compete in the next national election in 2017/2018. http://www.worldkhmerradioonline.com; http://www.boreiangkornc.com
Dear Louk Montha;
I didn’t have chance to listen WKR on that day. But according to your comment that many people expressed their concerns against the political change of CNRP, and you said that those desperate people suggested to be created new political party for next national election in 2017/2018. I have no comment on that except respect your comment and others’ opinion on political activities to exercise their civil rights. To some extent, H.E. Sam Rainsy and the CNRP has pursued the right choice in making Cambodia stronger and sustainable in the future. And I am assured by H.E. Sam Rainsy of his solemn support of The CEROC.
Sincerely,
Sophoan Seng
The CEROC