Six former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) officials who requested the restoration of their political rights from the government say they will still lobby for their former party and work for the release of opposition leader Kem Sokha.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned former opposition leader Sam Rainsy not to attempt to re-enter Cambodian territory via an overland crossing, suggesting that usual rules against using machine guns on civilians may not apply to him.
Interior Minister Sar Kheng told visiting EU delegates that the government was working to fulfill its commitments to democracy and civil society, according to an Interior Ministry spokesman.
Amid a looming deadline for banned opposition officials to seek clemency from the government, former CNRP leader Sam Rainsy claimed the prime minister was engaging in “psychological warfare” amid his supposed “panic” due to international pressure.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered authorities to arrest any banned opposition politicians who hold public meetings, instructing officials to adopt an approach of “see one, beat one.”
For the nine former CNRP officials who have now sought political clemency from the government, the reaction from supporters has been swift and decisive against them, political analysts said.
A Cambodian court has issued arrest warrants for Sam Rainsy and seven other former opposition lawmakers for “plotting” and “incitement.”
Prime Minister Hun Sen suggested he would sue former opposition leader Sam Rainsy for at least $2 million over alleged insults on social media and would confiscate his assets in the country.
A delegation from the European Union will visit Cambodia next week to discuss its ongoing process of reviewing Cambodia’s continued eligibility for the “Everything But Arms” tariff reductions.
A few political parties registered for the upcoming in the provincial, municipal and district council elections hope they might win some seats — even as prominent civil society officials said that they have no chance.
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