HRP and SRP plan to merge at the end of 2009

HRP president Kem Sokha spoke to member of national council during the convention in Phnom Penh on 19 July 2009. RFA/Photo Mondul Keo.

2009-07-19
By Mondul Keo
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soksan
Please click here to read the article in Khmer

During the 1st National Council Convention on 19 July 2009 at HRP Headquarter in Phnom Penh, Kem Sokha stated all of national council members agreed to push the merger of Human Rights Party (HRP) and Sam Rainsy Party (SRP).

Kem Sokha said, “Push the decision of real policy on the rule of merger between HRP and SRP, if possible, by the end of 2009. However, the creation of new party through abovementioned decision will be able to process a bit later if necessary time.”

He added, “HRP national council decided that the merger does not use the name of the both parties, it means using a new name.”

“How does HRP wish to see the merger? HRP wishes the alliance of the political parties becoming a new one, it’s not all—it doesn’t wish SRP comes to merge with us or vice versa. We just want a new alliance which has party internal democratic manner and don’t say…wait until winning the election, it has internal democracy…it is believed in,” Kem Sokha said.

This is the first time HRP held the National Council Convention since it was created two years ago.

There were 315 members of local and overseas national council who participated in the convention.

Kem Sokha said that the convention was held in order to composed or set party strategic plan and policy to implement for next two years, 2010-2011 and to get ready to join 2012 Commune Council Election.

The Resolution of HRP National Council Convention
Unofficial translated by Soksan

Human Rights Party

Serving Protecting Constructing

No. 0177/09 H.R.P

RESOLUTION

The First National Council Convention

19 July 2009

- Having seen new article 29 of HRP By-law

- Have seen article 19 of HRP Internal Regulation

- Referring the decision of Steering Committee’s meeting on 21 June 2009

Human Rights Party (HRP) conducted the 1st National Council Convention on 19 July 2009 from 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM at HRP Headquarter (No. 72-74, Street 598, Sangkat Boeung Kok II, Kanh Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia) where HRP local and overseas members of national council in totality of 315 members under presided by:

H.E. Kem Sokha : Chairman of Executive Committee and HRP President

H.E. Son Sobert : Chairman of Steering Committee

H.E. Pen Sovann : Chairman of Discipline Committee

After listening to the speech and report of HRP top leadership and the statement of HRP president on the direction of future strategic plan and policy for next two years (2010-2011) and after monitoring and discussing for half of day, the National Convention:

DECIDED

1. Support the opening speech of the three top leadership of convention on 19 July 2009.
2. Support the statement of HRP president Kem Sokha on direction of future strategic plan and policy for implementing for next two years, 2010-2011.
3. HRP will be ready to join the 2012 Commune Council Election.
4. Support solid and impartial position of HRP top leadership that care about national and people interest through advocacy and other past activities.
5. Support the initiative and encouragement of merger between HRP and Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and may merge with other parties or politicians who have nationalism and democratic tendency by composed the below points:

• New party need to have a new name.
• New party structure need to have internal democracy which all kinds of decision on political position or tendency. Top leadership of the new party need to make joining discussion and decision.
• New party president need to have limited terms, two mandates or ten years.

These recommendations were provided to HRP top leadership to discuss and facilitate with various parties or politicians who want to join.

Push the decision of real policy on the rule of merger between HRP and SRP, if possible, by the end of 2009. However, the creation of new party through abovementioned decision will be able to process a bit later if necessary time.

In Phnom Penh, 19 July 2009
Human Rights Party