Labeled “traitors” by opposition leaders, nine former members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) walked away from the beleaguered opposition party to have their ban on political activities lifted by the government.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has rejected a request from lawyers for opposition leader Kem Sokha to release him from the terms of a strict house arrest order he has been forced to live under since his release from maximum security prison last year.
The wishes of the international community are not Cambodian government policy, Prime Minister Hun Sen reiterated in a speech on Tuesday in response to the EU’s ongoing criticism of last year’s national election.
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.
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.
Nearly 70 NGOs have appealed to the government to restore human rights and labor rights in the country as the EU considers rescinding trade preferences over rights violations.
A Cambodian court has issued arrest warrants for Sam Rainsy and seven other former opposition lawmakers for “plotting” and “incitement.”
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