Human Rights Activists Concerned about Democracy in Cambodia

Human Rights Activists Concerned about Democracy in Cambodia
Sakada Chun
Phnom Penh
29/12/2005

NGO officials are expressing concerns about democracy in Cambodia after
Prime Minister Hun Sen rejected criticism from the US, EU, and the UN
Secretary-General special representative on human rights in Cambodia on
the sentencing of opposition leader to 18 months in jail.

Director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) Kem Sokha said
PM Hun Sen's rejection of international criticism is a negative sign
for Cambodia which relies heavily on foreign aid and is a step backward
for democracy in the country.

Director of COMFREL, which monitors elections in Cambodia, said the
prime minister should embrace criticism and look for ways to correct
what are wrong.

The U.S. Government, the European Union, Human Rights Watch, have
expressed concerns and worries about the 18-month sentencing the
Cambodian court had handed on opposition leader Sam Rainsy.

PM Hun Sen denies the court is under the influence of the government
and urges opposition leader Sam Rainsy to return to Cambodia to serve
at least two third of his jail sentence before asking the king for a
pardon

.

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