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Senior Candlelight Party official led by Son Chhay (counting from right to third row) meets with EU Ambassador Ms. Khar Carmen Moreno, French Ambassador, Jacques Pellet, German Ambassador, Christian Berger, Head of the Czech Embassy Camilla Ottoson And a representative of the Swedish Embassy at the French Embassy in Phnom Penh on Monday morning, May 23, 2022.Candlelight Party Leaders Meet with EU Ambassadors to Discuss Commune Council Elections And democracy in Cambodia. Civil society officials perceived that EU election focus as crucial to the process Democracy in Cambodia.Senior Candlelight Party official led by Son Chhay meets with EU Ambassador Carmen Moreno France, Jacques Pellet, German Ambassador, Christian Berger, Head of the Czech Embassy, Camilla Ottoson, and Swedish Embassy Representative At the French Embassy in Phnom Penh on Monday morning, May 23, 2022. In this meeting, officials of the Candlelight Party and the European Union discussed. Talk about the challenges of the commune council election process and future democracy.
Son Chhay, vice chairman of the Candlelight Party, told RFA after the meeting that he had raised the issue of the NEC's independence. Elections (NEC) through the recruitment of provincial and commune officials, mostly from the ruling party, and issues Persecution and intimidation of candlelight activists, especially the issuance of summonses and arrests. He also called on the European Union to intervene with the government and other stakeholders to address these issues in order to ensure the forthcoming elections. This should be done freely and fairly: "The Candlelight Party can get the commune chief, the commune chief, what are the problems that the community "Europe can help. We told him that first there must be a fair election and the will of the people must be respected. Let there be no second ballot fraud when we become commune chiefs, all commune chiefs must respect the principle Do not intimidate or discriminate by making commune chiefs perform their political duties Of the party that has set out the seven points.
Mr. Son Chhay said that the European Union wants to see Cambodia respect human rights and true democracy through elections. This is because in the past, they have played an important role in strengthening the capacity to provide public services to local people. As for the Candlelight Party's participation in the election, it is an incentive to fight for democracy and human rights. In Cambodia. Taking the Candlelight Party's advice in making various decisions for Cambodia, it is very encouraging that "Friendly countries want the opinion of both sides, the opinion of the Royal Government and the opinion of the Candlelight Party."
Recently, the EU Ambassador met with NEC leaders to ask the institution to clarify the reasons for this. Disqualification of candidates of some political parties, recognition of civil society observers and procedures for sharing information on logs Count the 1102 ballots with representatives of political parties on election day. The European Union (EU) and the European Union (EU) have stated that although they have not requested an election observer, Of Member States in the country will continue to engage with all stakeholders to resolve any issues that may arise Contribute to a better election process for the upcoming election. RFA was unable to contact National Election Committee (NEC) spokesman Hang Puthea and head of the Government Spokesperson Unit. Mr. Phay Siphan to confirm this on May 23.
The European Union decided to officially withdraw 20% of the EBA from Cambodia in August 2020 after the Hun Sen government failed to restore it. Democracy and respect for human rights. Recently, the overwhelming majority of European Parliament members voted to approve a joint petition on the solution of democracy and human rights in Cambodia. The content of the petition includes condemning the Hun Sen government, demanding that the Cambodian government stop all forms of harassment on the exercise of its rights and freedoms. Citizens Release Political Prisoners and Drop False Charges Against CNRP Leaders and Independent Investigation of Murder Cases On those who criticize the government and so on. In particular, the European Parliament has urged European institutions to adopt measures against Cambodian leaders, including the complete suspension of the system. EBA preferential treatment if another opposition party is dissolved or the upcoming election is found to be unfair.
In this regard, Comfrel senior survey and advocacy officer Kan Savang said that if the commune council election Proceeding in accordance with the will of the people is important, democratic principles at the grassroots level. But he observes that as the election approaches, many candlelight activists are being persecuted. Mr. Savang said that the European Union always pays attention to election issues, so they need to understand the relevant parties. Political parties, civil society organizations, etc. to verify the clear information: "The decision of the European Union in the past always shows. Assistance to Cambodia, including calls for the restoration of democracy after the dissolution of political parties by the court in 2017 "There are still requests and demands."
So far, five candlelight activists have been jailed by Hun Sen government authorities, and some more. Summoned for inciting to falsify public documents and using fake documents and conspiracy
Sources/Credit:RFA