Sunday, October 8, 2017

If CNRP is dissolved, a royal pardon could be granted to CNRP commune councilors?

Tin Sokhavuth



On Saturday, Mr. Sok Ey San, spokesman for the ruling party CPP, told a local newspaper that in case the opposition party CNRP should be dissolved, according to the Law on the Election of Members of the National Assembly, CNRP's seats at the parliament (National Assembly) should be distributed to other parties having been participating in the election.

"In this case, the parliament, in which many parties should have a number of seat, should be always pluralist. So, the parliament shouldn't be dissolved when the CNRP should be dissolved," wrote Mr. Ey San.

Mr. Ey San also said that Article 78 of the Constitution does not mention anything about the dissolution of the parliament if the CNRP is dissolved.

"The legislative term of the Assembly shall be 5 years and terminates on the day when the new assembly convenes. The assembly shall not be dissolved before the end of its term except when the Royal government is twice deposed within a period of twelve months. In this case, following a proposal from the Prime Minister and the approval of t he Assembly President, the King shall dissolve the Assembly. The election of a new assembly shall be held no later than 60 days from the date of dissolution. During this period, the Royal government shall only be empowered to conduct routine business. [...]," read Article 78 of the Cambodian Constitution.

However, Attorney Hong Kim Sourn told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that if the Supreme Court dissolves the CNPR following lawsuit made by the Ministry of Interior, all CNRP's members should be also convicted for treason, because the ministry sues the whole CNRP party not just its president, Mr. Kem Sokha.

Concerning this issue, an anonymous political analyst raised a question that if Prime Minister Hun Sen makes a proposal to His Majesty the King to grant a «ROYAL PARDON» to all CNRP commune councilors across the country, after the dissolution of the CNRP. The dissolution should be legal or not?

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