"Authoritarian" drift leaves Phnom Penh’s "fragile" democracy at risk

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The independent electoral observer commission Comfrel, does not hide concern ahead of the general elections in July. Prime Minister Hun Sen and the People's Party suppress dissident and opposition parties. The government rejects criticism and talks of slander aimed at pleasing the international agencies.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Cambodia has embarked on an authoritarian drift and the process of political development of the nation in key multiparty elections has suffered an abrupt halt. This is clearly stated in the annual report from the Committee to free and fair elections
(COMFREL), in view of the general elections next July, in which the overwhelming victory of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the People's Party Cambodian (Cpp) appears to be a given. Activists denounce a "growing fragility" of the democratic system, combined with the "suppression" of dissident voices and opposition parties a few months before the vote.
COMFREL - an independent body founded on the eve of the vote in 1993 - said that under the hegemony of the Prime Minister and the Code of Criminal Procedure, the political process "shows a tendency to authoritarianism" and concrete danger of electoral fraud. The government controls the courts, the armed forces and the police, while state agencies and the monitoring committees lack the necessary impartiality and independence.
COMFREL director Koul Panha said he wrote the report in the hope that it will be taken into account by the Prime Minister and the authorities, with a greater balance of power in future. In the context of increased pluralism, activists also hope for the turnout of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, currently exiled in France, who faces up to 12 years in prison if he returns to Cambodia.

However, the executive's response has been an unequivocal rejection of the charges.  Government spokesman Phay Siphan speaks of a report drawn up in order to please international agencies, who want to "put pressure" on Phnom Penh. " COMFREL exists by virtue of funds it receives - he accuses - but the Cambodian government is elected by the people."