Cambodia parliament lifts opposition chief's immunity

16 Nov 2009

Source: Reuters

By Ek Madra

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

PHNOM PENH, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Cambodia's parliament voted on Monday to remove the immunity of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, a step likely to fuel concern the government is using its power to intimidate opponents.

It was the third time this year parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP), has removed the immunity of members from the biggest opposition party.

Lawmakers from the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) boycotted the vote to lead a march of more than 300 people as the house paved the way for courts to impeach Rainsy over a controversial publicity stunt on the border with Vietnam on Oct. 25.

Rainsy, currently in Europe, is charged with misconduct when he encouraged villagers evicted from border land after a demarcation exercise to uproot wooden posts set along the newly agreed frontier with Vietnam.

"The National Assembly has lifted the immunity of Sam Rainsy, who committed an act of destruction ... and convinced people to commit criminal acts," the house said in a statement, adding that 87 of 122 lawmakers voted against Rainsy.

Journalists were barred from attending the house session and police prevented the boycotting lawmakers from returning after the vote.

Rights groups and international donors have accused the government in recent months of using the courts to muzzle opponents and the media.

SRP spokesman Yim Sovann said the government was abusing its power and acting undemocratically.

"The government wants to silence the opposition when it is helping the people," he told reporters.

"These people are losing land day by day because of the border demarcation. This is an injustice and a big step backwards for democracy in Cambodia."

Last month Cambodia's parliament passed laws limiting protests to less than 200 people and tightened defamation legislation at a time when Hun Sen and his powerful associates were already using the courts to stifle criticism.

The CPP has defended the defamation laws, which it said "protected the dignity and reputation" of the country's leaders.

Analysts say that despite the concerns there is little threat to Hun Sen or his party, which won a landslide election victory last year. (Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Alan Raybould and Jerry Norton)