06 Oct 2017 | 09:54 PM UTC
Cambodia: Government threatens to ban opposition party /update 3
Government threatens ban of opposition party CNRP if they continue to back detained leader Sokha
Event
The Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened on Monday, September 11, that the main opposition party Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) would be dissolved if it continued to back their detained leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested and charged with treason and espionage on Tuesday, September 5. This threat comes less than a week after the Cambodian government threatened to bar CNRP from upcoming elections if they did not replace Sokha as the party head.
On top of the court decision to charge Sokha with treason, this second threat by the government could spark protests in coming days, especially considering the increasing popularity of CNRP.
Context
The Cambodian government cited a 2014 speech given by Sokha in Australia as grounds for arrest, which authorities allege exposes Sokha's collusion with a US-backed plot to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Inter-party tensions have plagued Cambodia over the past several years, exacerbating political instability in the country. Hun Sen is suspected of wanting to extend his three-decade rule in spite of the growing popularity of the opposition, muffling critics in the media and civil society. In February 2017, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) passed new amendments to the country's "Law on Political Parties" which reportedly gives powers to the government to suspend political parties and constrain the ability of the opposition CNRP to effectively compete in national elections. These changes effectually banned Sam Rainsy, a prominent CNRP opposition leader, from participating in Cambodian politics. Sokha ascended to be the leader of the CNRP earlier this year after Rainsy fled the country amid multiple criminal charges by Cambodian authorities. The next general elections in Cambodia are scheduled to take place in July 2018, to elect members of the sixth National Assembly.
Advice
Individuals present in Cambodia, and especially in Phnom Penh, are advised to monitor local media closely and to avoid all protests and demonstrations as they could turn violent.
