Cambodian-Americans Warn of Dangers of Political Deadlock
As demonstrations continued in Phnom Penh, Cambodian-Americans in Washington said this week that the international community can no longer stay out of Cambodian affairs, lest the political deadlock turn to violence. At a discussion at the National Press Club in Washington, held by the Khmer People’s Network for Cambodia, panelists said serious irregularities and fraud had disrupted the democratic process in Cambodia and had brought the ruling and opposition parties to a potentially dangerous deadlock. Meanwhile, they said, human rights abuses, land grabs and other violations abound—all despite the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, which ended decades of conflict and have become a touchstone for democracy supporters in Cambodia. … Mark Moorstein, a Virginia-based attorney who works on issues of sugar exports and forced evictions in Cambodia, said Cambodia needs the rule of law “now.” Cambodians have submitted petitions and letters to the United Nations and other international actors, asking for help, he said. …
Sok Khemara
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/cambodian-americans-warn-of-dangers-of-political-deadlock/1776213.html
