Photo: VOAUS Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA) wrapped up her one-week visit to Cambodia on Thursday.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
“It's very important for the opposition to have a very robust life in the politics of any country.”
US Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA) wrapped up her one-week visit to Cambodia on Thursday and urged politicians to work together to ensure opposition voices are heard.
“It's very important for the opposition to have a very robust life in the politics of any country,” Niki Tsongas said at a press conference in Phnom Penh.
Congresswoman Tsongas met with government officials, civil society groups, business community, and opposition parties.
The Cambodian People’s Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen has dominated the country’s politics for more than three decades leaving increasingly small space for the opposition to operate. Opposition lawmakers often face legal action for speaking out, forcing some of them to flee the country to avoid imprisonment.
“The immunity of opposition lawmakers has been suspended easily and without any clear reason,” said Son Chhay, lawmaker of the Sam Rainsy Party.
Son Chhay said the government regularly ignores the requests or questions from opposition lawmakers.
However, National Assembly member Cheam Yeap, from the ruling party, denied there is discrimination.
“We listen to all parties,” he said.
Congresswoman Tsongas met with government officials, civil society groups, business community, and opposition parties.
The Cambodian People’s Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen has dominated the country’s politics for more than three decades leaving increasingly small space for the opposition to operate. Opposition lawmakers often face legal action for speaking out, forcing some of them to flee the country to avoid imprisonment.
“The immunity of opposition lawmakers has been suspended easily and without any clear reason,” said Son Chhay, lawmaker of the Sam Rainsy Party.
Son Chhay said the government regularly ignores the requests or questions from opposition lawmakers.
However, National Assembly member Cheam Yeap, from the ruling party, denied there is discrimination.
“We listen to all parties,” he said.
2 comments:
To All,
We thank you, Congresswoman Tsongas for
speaking out in defense of opposition parties.
We hope and expect you will bring the issues
to the US State Department, and the US Congress
Foreign Affairs Commitee.
There are so many options the US can use to
promote bonafide democracy in Cambodia.
A Khmer Patriot
11:25 PM, The US are only good at crying out human right abuse, but when it comes down to removing dictators, its all about timing and of interest.
Right now US have no need to remove the dictator as they are busily working with Uncle Ho and Uncle Mao.
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