National Assembly Claims CNRP Acting Unconstitutionally

The National Assembly said in a statement on Friday that the opposition CNRP is in contempt of both the Constitution and the King by claiming that the new government is illegitimate. The CNRP had accused the ruling CPP of behaving unconstitutionally by convening parliament last week despite a boycott by the 55-seat opposition over unresolved allegations of irregularities during July’s election. “The National Assembly was approved by 68 votes, more than the absolute majority of all [123] members. Thus, the National Assembly vote…is in compliance with the Constitution and internal rules of the fifth mandate of the National Assembly,” the Assembly’s statement says. “The CNRP, by not recognizing the legal fifth-mandate government that is fully legitimate, is acting in opposition to the Constitution, opposing the democratic regime and opposing His Majesty of Cambodia,” it continues. … Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said Sunday that the government could prove that the CNRP was violating various laws in its efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the CPP government. “I don’t want to manipulate it [the National Assembly’s statement], but there are a number of related laws that do not allow anyone to offend the government,” he said. “A number of lawyers can prove that [the CNRP] is against the King, who has sent three letters [calling on the CNRP to join the National Assembly]. The government law­yers can prove that the CNRP actions are against the King and the Constitution,” Mr. Siphan added. Kem Monovithya, the CNRP’s deputy director of public affairs, said that the opposition would not be intimidated by the implicit “threat” in the statement from the National Assembly, as the body was illegally formed in the first place. … The statement from the National Assembly comes in the wake of an announcement from the CNRP that it will lobby the international community to delegitimize the CPP government, as well as warnings from the government not to insult King Sihamoni—who cannot be criticized under the law. …

Hul Reaksmey and Colin Meyn
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/national-assembly-claims-cnrp-acting-unconstitutionally-43861/