By Meas Sokchea and Sebastian Strangio
The Phnom Penh Post
OPPOSITION parties have cast doubts on the government’s commitment to democratic reform ahead of a parliamentary event designed to discuss the strengthening of democracy and political tolerance in the Kingdom.
The National Assembly is to mark the second annual International Day of Democracy with an all-day seminar at parliament today, including politicians from five political parties, human rights activists and diplomatic officials.
But opposition officials say they fear the event, designed to “raise awareness and commitment to democracy and political tolerance”, may paper over the government’s weak commitment to democratic principles.
Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay said his party was still unsure whether to attend the event, saying the published schedule did not include strong representation from the opposition.
“This issue involves democratic principles, [so] the discussion must be divided equally. If it is just going to propagandise for the government and the ruling party, it will be difficult for us to participate,” he said.
Ou Chanrith, a lawmaker from the Human Rights Party, doubted the discussion would bear much fruit, saying that the ruling party has never tolerated opposition criticisms.
“In the past, I have seen that the ruling party does not understand the role of opposition parties, or understands but pretends not to understand,” Ou Chanrith said.
“We have not done anything wrong. We have just critiqued the construction of [Cambodia’s] democracy.”
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