Asian and European Liberals visit Cambodia, assess electoral conditions and host seminar on the rule of law

(P. Penh/ May 3, 2003) A combined delegation from the European Liberals, Democrats and Reform Party Group (ELDR) and the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats concluded a three-day mission in Phnom Penh, Kompong Cham City and other districts in Cambodia to study the political situation in advance of the 27 July Cambodian national elections.

Bearing in mind the European Parliamentary Resolution adopted on 13 March 2003 linking EU aid to respect human rights the delegation was jointly sponsored by ELDR and CALD, in cooperation with the Liberal Democrat Party of the United Kingdom, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation of Germany and the Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia.

The combined foreign delegation included HE Graham Watson, MEP and head of the ELDR, Congressman Neric Acosta of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, Assistant Minister Maysing Yang of the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan, Dr. Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party, Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha of the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka, Dr. Buranaj Smutharaks of the Democrat Party of Thailand, Mr. John Joseph S. Coronel-CALD Executive Director, Mr. Nicollo Rinaldi-ELDR Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Ronald Meinardus of FNF and Ms. Karla Hatrick of British Libdems.

The delegates met EU and other diplomats (including Mr. Winston Mc Colgan, EC delegate), representatives of the major Cambodian election observation groups Thun Saray and Kul Phana of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia or Comfrel and Ms. Pung Chiv Kek, Hang Puthea and Sok Sam Oeun of the Neutral & Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia or Nicfec), the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (Mr. Mark Wallen) and student groups (Front of Khmer Student Intellectuals and Students Movement for Democracy). It also met with the National Elections officials of Cambodia, including its Secretary General, Mr. Im Suosdey.

While in Phnom Penh, the joint delegation attended the congress of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia with its leader Mr. Chea Vichea commemorating the international workers’ day of May 1. A visit to the Watt Langka Pagoda was made to pay a courtesy call to the Their Holiness, Yus Hot, Chhay Chhorvoan and Pech Poeun.

The delegation then proceded to Prey Veng Province and Kompong Cham City to attend the campaign rallies of the Sam Rainsy Party.

During the last day, a conference was held on the rule of law and justice. Among the speakers were Mr. Watson, Congressman Acosta, Dr. Rajiva, HE Sam Rainsy,  Mr. Mc Colgan, Madame Kek, Mtr. Vathan Dara of the Documentation Center of Cambodia and Mr. Surya Dhungel of UN Cambodia Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.

Categorised in: News Article

This post was written by CALD