CALD Statement No. 5 S. 2013

CALD Statement on the Royal Pardon of CALD Chair Sam Rainsy and His Impending Return to Cambodia

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) is very pleased to learn of the grant of royal pardon by Cambodian King, His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, to Cambodian leader of the opposition and CALD Chair Sam Rainsy.

CALD considers this act as a significant step towards democratization and national reconciliation, especially in light of the upcoming Cambodian general elections on 28 July 2013.

CALD is likewise pleased to know that Sam Rainsy has already announced his return to Cambodia on 19 July 2013, a development which could significantly reinforce the campaign of the main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), at this critical juncture of the election period.

However, CALD is aware that the return of Sam Rainsy to the country is not a guarantee that free, fair and democratic elections that meet international standards would take place.

For one, Sam Rainsy might still not be able to run in the election, or even cast a vote, on grounds that he is not registered in the list of candidates and the voter’s list.

Furthermore, no positive steps have been made towards the reform of the National Election Committee as recommended by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Surya P. Subedi.

Moreover, electoral irregularities such as the disenfranchisement of eligible voters, the use of state resources by the ruling party in the campaign, the distribution of money and gifts by the ruling party’s officials and candidates, the unequal access to state media of opposition candidates, and other such systemic problems, continue unabated, casting a doubt on the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.

In this regard, CALD reiterates the following demands to the Cambodian government:

• ensure the safe return of Sam Rainsy and allow him to assume his full role in the upcoming elections and in the national politics of Cambodia;

• reform the composition of the National Election Committee to guarantee its full independence;

• foster a free political environment where the people can fully exercise their rights and freedoms; and

• renounce illegal and irregular electoral practices which put the political opposition at a severe disadvantage.

CALD believes that while the return of Sam Rainsy to Cambodia is a welcome development, the legitimacy of the upcoming elections rests on the realization of the abovementioned demands.  Meeting these conditions would also pave the way for genuine transition to democracy and national reconciliation.

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This post was written by CALD