Opposition Lays Out Reform Demands at ‘People’s Congress’
Amidst an opposition boycott of the National Assembly, CNRP leaders on Sunday announced to about 10,000 supporters gathered in Phnom Penh their tentative plans to push the one-party CPP government to investigate irregularities in the July election and enact a broad slate of reforms. As patchy afternoon rain fell over a two-hour “people’s congress” in Freedom Park, party faithful—covered in various colors of ponchos and umbrellas—raised their hands in a show of support for a list of 10 demands that the opposition’s 55 lawmakers-elect say they will insist upon before joining parliament. … Adding to its demand that an independent committee be created to investigate the flawed election, the CNRP is also calling for the establishment of a shadow government, licensing of CNRP television and radio stations, an end to economic land concessions and deforestation, implementation of immigration laws, a review of Cambodia’s border posts, new laws that require village chiefs to be elected by popular vote, the complete independence of the judiciary and the immediate release of political prisoners and human rights activists from jail. CNRP president Sam Rainsy also announced that today he will leave the country on a two-week world tour to lobby foreign governments to cease recognition of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s one-party parliament, while vice president Mr. Sokha will remain in the country to rally support for another mass opposition demonstration planned for later this month. … Mr. Sokha also called on the assembled supporters to help gather 3 million thumbprints for a petition calling on the U.N. to intervene in Cambodia’s post-election dispute, which will be delivered to U.N. representatives in Cambodia on the same day as the October 23 mass demonstration. The demonstration date was picked to coincide with the 22nd anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements in 1991. …
Aun Pheap and Colin Meyn
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/opposition-lays-out-reform-demands-at-peoples-congress-44450/
