"We hope that we can take over power in response to the needs of the people. We will serve the people and ensure that they have power in their hands. Then they can change society and build better living conditions," Kem Sokha told the Post

HRP eyes 2008 votes

By Vong Sokheng

More than 10,000 Human Rights Party (HRP) supporters gathered July 22
at Olympic Stadium as the fledgling party held its inaugural congress
and declared that it intends to bring power to the people and
ultimately overcome the ruling CPP.

Among an array of pledges HRP founder and unanimously elected
president, Kem Sokha, promised to bring some 2.5 million Cambodians,
who he claimed were unable to vote in this year's commune elections,
to the polls for the July 2008 national election.

"We hope that we can take over power in response to the needs of the
people. We will serve the people and ensure that they have power in
their hands. Then they can change society and build better living
conditions," Kem Sokha told the Post on July 23.

"After five years working in a human rights NGO, we found that people
across the country want change. So that's why we set up this party -
to give a choice to the people."

Sokha said that if the HRP wins a majority in the National Assembly,
the party will change the current political system. He promised to
limit the term of the Prime Minister and push for anti-corruption
legislation.

During the congress, Pen Sovann, a former prime minister from the
communist 1980s, and former Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmaker Keo Remy
were elected as HRP's deputy presidents.

Son Soubert, a member of the Constitutional Council and son of the
late former prime minister Son Sann, was voted in as chairman of the
HRP's 36-member steering committee.

The party's national council has 244 members.
"It is time for Cambodian people to become the owners of the nation,"
Sokha said.

Sokha said the event cost the HRP some $60,000 for free transportation
for people from the provinces as well as water and food.

Koul Panha, executive director of election monitoring NGO Committee
for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (Comfrel) said that some human
rights activists have criticized the HRP for linking the party's name
to the activities of national and international human rights
organization.

"I think that the HRP will make the existing political parties weaker,
but we're not sure whether it will be the SRP or the CPP," Panha said.

But Ou Virak, executive director of Cambodian Center for Human Rights
(CCHR), said that the HRP would encourage other political parties to
present a clear political platform to the public.

"I see now that most political parties have never established a clear
political program for Cambodian people about the proper development of
the country," Virak said.

"They counter attack each other on personal issues, but no clear
policy has been announced for the public. I think that HRP is a real
competitor for the elections in 2008," Virak added.

Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, told the Post on July 24 the
CPP welcomed the new party and said its entry confirmed that democracy
in Cambodia is developing.

Sam Rainsy, president of the SRP, said that HRP would not impact his
party's showing in 2008.

"I am not interested and I am not concerned," Rainsy said.



Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 15, July 27 - August 9, 2007

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