EU: The amended law negatively affects Cambodian election climate

Tin Sokhavuth



With regard to the amended law on political parties passed on Monday, the European Union Delegation (EU) in Cambodia issued a statement, on Wednesday, stating that the law "adversely" affects Cambodian election climate. The amendments were made to restrict political party activities. For the EU, these restrictions are "actions against opposition parties". As a result, the EU brings into question the legitimacy of the Cambodian upcoming elections.

"The election climate is adversely affected by the passage in the National Assembly on 20 February of legislation that would potentially allow for arbitrary restrictions of political party activities or for their dissolution. Such actions against opposition parties would call into question the legitimacy of the coming elections." read the EU's statement.

For this issue, the EU calls on the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) to take necessary measures "to ensure an environment in which opposition parties and civil society can function freely," added the EU.

The EU also pointed out that their mission in Cambodia is to establish a long-term stability in the country so that Cambodian people have a strong confidence when voting to choose whom they prefer, at the commune level as well as at national level. And that is why the EU has been spending million of EUR for the preparation of a new Cambodian voter register.

In the same day, in response to the statement issued by the US Embassy in Cambodia, regarding the same amended law, the RGC has considered this kind of similar statement as an interference in Cambodian internal affairs. And the RGC has been asking the US Government to refrain from doing so.

"We call on the US Administration to respect international principles of non-interference and national sovereignty and to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Cambodia," read the statement issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The amendments to the Cambodian Law on Political Parties give right to the Supreme Court to dissolve political parties in some circumstances. The new law also forbids inmate from being president, vice president, or member of the steering​ committee of any political party.