Recommendations to U.S. Secretary of State from Cambodia’s Parliamentary Opposition

Meeting between opposition MPs and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. From left to right: US Ambassador Carol Rodley, SRP MP Mu Sochua, SRP MP Son Chhay, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (Photo: US Embassy in Cambodia)
2 November, 2010

RECOMMENDATIONS TO U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE
FROM CAMBODIA’S PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION

Call for Action to Set Democracy on Track

At a meeting held on 1 November, 2010 in Phnom Penh with four Members of Parliament from the Sam Rainsy Party and two from the Human Rights Party, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton strongly reaffirmed the US administration’s support for a strong opposition, for an independent judiciary and the protection of human rights.

The opposition Members of Parliament stressed that the process of peace building or conflict resolution and democracy is built on the promotion and protection of democratic values and principles, such as pluralism, equal representation, and participation. When elected representatives of the people have lost their rights to represent their constituents and live in constant fear of prosecution, the foundation for a liberal democracy system is uprooted.

The opposition has been painted as a weak opposition force while the ruling party has been praised for their ability to maintain stability and law and order.

At the same time as the ruling party manages to weaken the political structure, it has shown little political will to allow institutions to be reformed and is showing growing intolerance of criticism and advocacy by the civil society, trade unions and local non-governmental organizations. Democratization must be inclusive as every voice is of most crucial importance in the next steps towards building a democratic society that include all parties in preventing conflicts.

The international community has been tolerant of the unmet government’s promises and unacceptable practices to which the Cambodian people fall victims.

The loss of judicial integrity and of other public institutions including the police and armed forces to spread fear among activists, detain human rights defenders and attack opposition parties are real cause for great concern. The main objective of such form of governance is to weaken opposing voices and forces but not to totally eliminate them as so the façade of democracy can be maintained.

The representatives of the opposition in Cambodia urge the United States, other signatory countries and donor institutions to take the following measures and mechanisms to ensure the provisions enshrined by the Paris Agreements.

The specific recommendations for the United States are to:

1. Support the role and existence of a Loyal Opposition whose leader has the legal and fundamental right to defend and protect the people without fear of prosecution. It is a Loyal Opposition that is allocated a budget and sufficient technical resources and a Loyal Opposition that has access to information and the power for checks and balances. It is a Loyal Opposition that can have access to state media to communicate with the people;
2. Support the principles of free and fair elections. A seal of recognition of elections that fall below international standards has grave consequences to democracy and can further legitimize dictatorship.
3. Re-activate and continue its assistance to programs to raise public awareness of corruption and the strengthening of national institutions to put an end to the system of patronage so that quality of public services can be guaranteed for the benefit of the people.
4. Ensure that Cambodian armed forces trained by the United States are not involved in cracking down on demonstrators, workers and government critics.


Secretary Clinton urged the opposition to hold further talks with the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, Carol Rodley for specific ways for the US government to address the needs of the opposition and civil society.

The visit of Secretary Clinton at the heels of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s visit is a historic event and a strong signal of support for human rights and democracy in Cambodia.