Wednesday, 16 September 2009

CPP, SRP Lawmakers Argue over Democracy

Written by DAP NEWS -- Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Cambodian People Party (CPP) Lawmakers expressed disappointment after opposition leader Sam Rainsy, head of the eponymous Sam Rainsy Party Leader (SRP), said that the democracy and human rights are getting worse.

The Cambodian National Assem- bly (NA) on Tuesday marked Inter-national Democratic Day, this year titled “Understanding in Political Ways, Democratic,” with the participation of several political party lawmakers, ambassadors and other NGOs. “Elections are only once per 5 years, which is not adequate and in the past, European Union [EU] inspe- ctors made a low assessment of the election,” Sam Rainsy said at the forum.

In response, Chheang Vun, Interna- tional Affair, Information Commission Head of NA, said that he felt very regretful as Cambodia is a real democracy, as citizens can choose who will lead the kingdom. “It is not only EU inspectors for the election, but some groups from the US, UK and Germany who made this analysis,” said Chheang Vun.

The SRP leader also claimed that a nation must change their leader to find real democracy like other developed countries in the world. “Many Cambodian citizens lost their land,” he noted.

Chheang Vun said that the Camb- odian Government is making efforts to strengthen and promote democracy and human rights. “It takes longer than several days to make real democratic system. We have to spend a great deal of time, as countries such as the US, UK, France and Australia have done,” he added.

Om Yien Tieng, Cambodian Human Right Commission director, said that the Government is aware of human rights and democratic implementation in Cambodia.

Ou Virak, Cambodian Human Right Center head, told reporters that “If we continue have open discussions, I believe that it will move forward.”

No comments: