Cambodia's opposition on Monday promised violence-free
protests over Prime Minister Hun Sen's disputed election victory, urging
supporters to avoid unleashing "chaos" that could deepen the country's
political divide.
Cambodian policemen stand in formation during a training
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's opposition on Monday promised
violence-free protests over Prime Minister Hun Sen's disputed election
victory, urging supporters to avoid unleashing "chaos" that could deepen
the country's political divide.
The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) also announced legal action against election authorities for allegedly rigging the July vote to ensure the ruling party won.
The pledge to demonstrate peacefully came a day after Hun Sen's government warned foreigners to stay away from a rally planned for Saturday.
"The demonstration will still be a demonstration, but it will be conducted in the spirit of a national day ofprayer -- prayer for peace, but peace in justice," opposition leader Sam Rainsy said at a news conference.
He reiterated his call to protesters not to carry knives or other weapons.
"We must not do anything that would lead to chaos," said the French-educated former banker, who was excluded from standing in the polls despite a recent pardon for criminal convictions which he maintains were politically motivated.
Thousands of riot police, armed with batons and shields, were seen practising crowd control methods on Sunday in a park in Phnom Penh.
Security forces have been deployed around the capital since the July 28 poll, in a move the opposition decried as intimidation.
The opposition said it planned to file a criminal lawsuit against election authorities over the vote, which Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) claimed it won with 68 seats in the lower house, against 55 for the CNRP.
"We will file a lawsuit against not only top National Election Committee (NEC) officials but also their accomplices because the work of stealing votes was systematic," said senior opposition official Kuy Bunroeun.
The NEC -- which denies the allegations -- has said Hun Sen's CPP won 3.2 million votes to the opposition's 2.9 million, although it has yet to reveal the party's share of parliamentary seats.
The final results are expected to be announced by September 8.
Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years and vowed to rule until he is 74, has said he will form a government despite the opposition's allegations.
A former Khmer Rouge cadre, he defected from the murderous regime and oversaw Cambodia's transformation into one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant economies.
His government is regularly accused of ignoring human rights and suppressing political dissent.
The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) also announced legal action against election authorities for allegedly rigging the July vote to ensure the ruling party won.
The pledge to demonstrate peacefully came a day after Hun Sen's government warned foreigners to stay away from a rally planned for Saturday.
"The demonstration will still be a demonstration, but it will be conducted in the spirit of a national day of
He reiterated his call to protesters not to carry knives or other weapons.
"We must not do anything that would lead to chaos," said the French-educated former banker, who was excluded from standing in the polls despite a recent pardon for criminal convictions which he maintains were politically motivated.
Thousands of riot police, armed with batons and shields, were seen practising crowd control methods on Sunday in a park in Phnom Penh.
Security forces have been deployed around the capital since the July 28 poll, in a move the opposition decried as intimidation.
The opposition said it planned to file a criminal lawsuit against election authorities over the vote, which Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) claimed it won with 68 seats in the lower house, against 55 for the CNRP.
"We will file a lawsuit against not only top National Election Committee (NEC) officials but also their accomplices because the work of stealing votes was systematic," said senior opposition official Kuy Bunroeun.
The NEC -- which denies the allegations -- has said Hun Sen's CPP won 3.2 million votes to the opposition's 2.9 million, although it has yet to reveal the party's share of parliamentary seats.
The final results are expected to be announced by September 8.
Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years and vowed to rule until he is 74, has said he will form a government despite the opposition's allegations.
A former Khmer Rouge cadre, he defected from the murderous regime and oversaw Cambodia's transformation into one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant economies.
His government is regularly accused of ignoring human rights and suppressing political dissent.
- AFP/gn
1 comment:
I just keep praying that No Yuon spies hiding amoung us Khmers to cause any confusions. GOD please be with those real Khmers and protect them from Yuon/CPP. Amen
Post a Comment