CALD Joins Call for ASEAN to Mediate Cambodian Crisis

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) joined the call of other international and regional organizations for ASEAN to help in mediating the worsening Cambodian political crisis.

In a joint April 25 letter addressed to the current ASEAN Chair, Singapore, the concerned organizations stated:

In light of the alarming and rapidly deteriorating situation for human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Cambodia, we urge you to fulfill your obligations as laid out in the 1967 Bangkok Declaration to “promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and rule of law among in the relationship among countries in the region”,” by working through all diplomatic channels, both formal and informal, to call on Cambodia to reverse its course. It is not too late for the Cambodian government to restore a fair environment for the July 29, 2018 national election, which will allow the Cambodian people to choose their leaders in a credible electoral process. No Cambodian government elected under the current circumstances would have any claim to legitimacy.

ASEAN leaders are currently in Singapore for the 32nd ASEAN Summit which takes place on 25-28 April 2018.  Prime Minister Hun Sen is scheduled to lead the Cambodian delegation which includes Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron.

Apart from CALD, the above-mentioned letter was also signed by ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), Asia Democracy Network (ADN), Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia), Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

Read the joint ASEAN letter here.