Cambodian opposition leader holds meeting in exile in Manila

Cambodian opposition leader, Hon. Sam Rainsy, MP was in Manila, Philippines from 13 to 24 January 2011 to meet with leaders of the Sam Rainsy Party and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty.

The Philippines has been serving as a refuge for Hon. Sam and his party for important meetings and planning sessions since their first meeting in exile at the CALD Secretariat in 2005. They also held a similar meeting in Manila in June 2010.

Currently, Hon. Sam is in self-imposed exile in Europe to avoid imprisonment in line with two politically-motivated cases against him.  In a resolution on Cambodia adopted on 21 October 2010, the European Parliament denounced “all politically motivated sentences against representatives of the opposition and NGOs”, particularly those against Hon. Sam Rainsy, MP. It called upon Cambodian authorities to engage in political and institutional reforms to build a democratic state and “guarantee free and fair political expression without intimidation and harassment”.

The eighteen member delegation included Members of Parliament Hon. Mu Sochua, Hon. Tioulong Saumura, Hon. Yim Sovann, Hon. Ke Sovannaroth and Hon. Son Chhay. Mr. Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff, Project Director for Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma and Cambodia of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty was also present to discuss strategic directions for future cooperation while Mr. Peter Shroder served as facilitator.

The agenda tackled an analysis of the socio-political situation in Cambodia and opportunities for change; an analysis of the political situation in the region; and the adoption of the Party strategy in preparation for the Senate, Commune and National elections in 2012 and 2013. The Party reaffirmed its commitment to prioritize agriculture, healthcare and employment as key issues for fair, just and equitable development. Organizational reforms to implement the newly-adopted strategy and adoption of the 2011 Action Plan were also discussed.

The visit to the Philippines also included meeting sessions at and a tour of the tourist destination of Tagaytay; a meeting with the CALD Secretariat to discuss upcoming programs for the year; and attendance at the Liberal Party’s 65th anniversary dinner at Malaca�ang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine President.

Categorised in: News Article

This post was written by CALD