Rights Group Wants Abe to Press Cambodia on Poll Probe
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who makes a visit to Phnom Penh this weekend, should leverage his country’s aid to pressure the Cambodian government to launch an independent probe into fraud and other irregularities in disputed elections, a rights group said Thursday. As head of the leading international donor to Cambodia, Abe is obligated to speak out on “difficult issues,” such as the need for a probe into voting irregularities and addressing alleged human rights abuses, during his Nov. 16-17 visit, New York-based Human Rights Watch said. In an open letter to Abe, the rights group urged Japan to join other countries “in publicly calling for an independent, internationally assisted investigation into election irregularities” and to “discuss the modalities for such an investigation.” It also asked Japan to show impartiality by meeting with leaders of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) who have boycotted parliament in protest against Prime Minister Hun Sen’s refusal to set up a probe into election irregularities. The letter referred to a policy speech Abe delivered in January proclaiming Japan’s intention to pursue international “diplomacy based on the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, basic human rights, and the rule of law.” … Chheang Von, a senior CPP official and chairman of the Cambodian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, dismissed the letter and said that the Japanese government “will not listen” to Human Rights Watch’s demands. He said that Cambodia’s government was “moving forward” and “can’t go back to investigate the election,” adding that the results had already been endorsed by the country’s King Norodom Sihamoni. … Talks between the CNRP and CPP aimed at breaking the political deadlock last week resulted in little progress when the ruling party refused to discuss the possibility of an investigation into the allegations of poll fraud. CNRP spokesman Nhem Ponharith told RFA on Wednesday that his party wants to renew talks with the CPP, though no schedule has been set for a new round of meetings.
Radio Free Asia News Staff
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/investigation-11142013171238.html
