Written by DAP NEWS -- Monday, 05 October 2009
(Post by CAAI News media)
The fate of Mu Sochua, a Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmaker and vocal opponent of the Cambodian Government, was undecided over the weekend as many awaited the verdict in her appeal.
Some analysts said that they are waiting to see if the Cambodian National Assembly, the majority of whom are ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) members, will vote to give back Mu Sochua’s immunity, stripped ahead if the PM’s defamation suit.
Ho Vann, another SRP lawmaker, is likely to have his immunity restored, said sources, after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court found him innocent of defaming Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) officials. Two staff from local media NGO the Cambodia Daily were instead found guilty in a verdict that has provoked moderate criticism from local rights groups.
Some locals have asked why Mu Sochua has been so shy following her recentreturn to Cambodia. Whilst in the US, she harshly criticized Cambodia’s democratic system and human rights situation. On the contrary, since arriving back in Cambodia, whoch has recently seen a spate of lawsuits that have sometimes resulted in the imprisonment of well-respected experts and Gover- nment critics, she has restrain ed her criticism.
As she left the Phnom Penh International Airport on September 25, she shied away from around 10 journalists waiting for an interview.
She seemed to backpedal on comments reported in the media that claimed she called on the US Government to stop military aid to the Cambodian Defense Ministry.
“I strongly reject all claims … that I called on the US Government to stop military aid to Cambodia,” Mu Sochua said. “I only called on the US Government to decline entry visas for some military officials indulging in corruption, land abuses and illegal deforestation.”
She added that she called on the US Government to check aid provided to Cambodia goes where it is supposed to. “Elected leaders have not shown yet enough democratic and human rights implementation and especially elected candidates must have a real conscience to improve.”
While walking out of the appeal court on Friday, Mu Sochua said that she has no more ways left to protest her verdict.
The Appeal Court Prosecutor General on Friday afternoon recalled Mu Sochua to question her further about her case with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen after she disagreed with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s verdict in the defamation case she lost against the premier.
“I don’t have any more ways to protest,” Mu Sochua said. She claimed that she represented herself at the Appeals Court.
“I could not have another lawyer as I don’t want any lawyers to suffer like Kong Sam On,” Mu Sochua said, referring to her former counsel.
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