Minority Opposition Leader Claims Intimidation by Ruling Party

Kem Sokha, then-director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, stands outside his office in the capital Phnom Penh. (Photo: AP)

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Thursday, 05 August 2010

“In some places the local authorities don't allow us to have a meeting, even though I use my name as a member of parliament visiting my constituency.”

One of Cambodia's opposition parties continues to face political repression and discrimination that need international attention, the leader of the minority party says.

Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party, said in an interview with VOA last week that his party faces repression both on the parliamentary floor, where time is limited for his three parliamentarians, and in the field, where his meetings with grassroots supporters find it hard to get permission to gather and participants are intimidated.

“In some places the local authorities don't allow us to have a meeting, even though I use my name as a member of parliament visiting my constituency,” Kem Sokha said, as he continued a two-month tour of the US and Canada.

“In some places the ruling Cambodian People's Party officials disturbed our meeting by verbally attacking our supporters during the session and threatening them with chair fighting,” he said.
Please click here to read more...