9 August 2013
Opposition
leader Sam Rainsy told thousands of supporters to prepare for
demonstrations unless the electoral deadlock is resolved.
© TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP/Getty Images
With the potential for mass demonstrations rising following
Cambodia’s disputed election and the government moving hundreds of
security forces into Phnom Penh, Amnesty International is calling for
Cambodian authorities and other political leaders to prevent violence.
“Cambodian
authorities and other political leaders in Cambodia must ensure that
the post-election tension does not erupt into violence,” said Isabelle
Arradon, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia Pacific Director.
“Many
Cambodians have called for changes – political leaders should do all
they can to ensure that these are achieved peacefully and with full
respect for human rights,” she said.
Disagreement between the
country’s two main political parties over results of the 28 July
election and over investigations into alleged irregularities has led to a
tense and unpredictable situation.
Opposition Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP) leader Sam Rainsy on Tuesday told thousands of
supporters to prepare to stage mass demonstrations unless the deadlock
is resolved. Long-standing Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Prime Minister
Hun Sen has said his party may hold counter-demonstrations.
Ahead
of the potential demonstrations, the government yesterday moved in
hundreds of members of the security forces into the capital Phnom Penh.
“The
Cambodian people, including supporters of political parties, must be
given the space to express their views and they must be allowed to enjoy
their right to peaceful assembly,” said Isabelle Arradon.
“Political
leaders must call on their supporters not to commit violence and human
rights abuses against others, including on grounds of political opinion
and ethnicity.”
“The Cambodian security forces, which have a
chequered record when policing demonstrations, must refrain from using
excessive or unnecessary force against demonstrators. They must not make
tense situations even more volatile by failing to respect human
rights.”
Both
the ruling CPP and the opposition CNRP have claimed victory in the
election. The CNRP has insisted on a multi-party committee involving the
UN and civil society groups to investigate alleged election fraud, but
Cambodia’s National Election Committee says the UN and others can only
observe any such investigation.
The run-up to the election saw a
reduction in violence compared to past polls, despite CPP warnings of
war should the opposition win.
The limited freedom of media remained concerning, though social media
offered a new outlet for some. Improved respect for freedom of
expression and assembly allowed for mostly peaceful and public
campaigning.
On election day itself, many voters complained that
they could not find their names on voter lists – a problem predicted by a
number of organizations. There were concerning reports also of
derogatory language used against those perceived to be Vietnamese, which
may have created an intimidating atmosphere at some polling stations.
CNRP leaders have couched concerns about Viet Nam’s influence in
Cambodia in language viewed by many as inflammatory.
Since the
election, there have been a number of reports of opposition supporters
in different locations facing harassment for their activism around the
election.
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