Cambodia urged to scrap trial of opposition leader

By Lauren Crothers

PHNOM PENH (AA) - Phnom Penh Municipal Court has been urged to scrap an upcoming trial against the embattled deputy leader of Cambodia’s opposition party, which comes against a backdrop of a shrinking space for civil society.

Human Rights Watch issued a statement early Wednesday, which said Friday’s trial against Cambodia National Rescue Party deputy leader Kem Sokha -- for allegedly procuring a prostitute -- “violates his parliamentary immunity” according to the country's constitution.

The rights group claimed the trial is politically motivated and part of a wider effort to stymie the potential for free and fair elections in two years’ time.

“Cambodian authorities should drop the case against Kem Sokha, release all political prisoners and detainees, and end all political repression to make free and fair elections possible,” HRW said in the statement.

Sokha has been holed up in the party’s headquarters for weeks to avoid arrest.

His saga began in February, when leaked recordings of him speaking with his alleged mistress about buying a property were leaked online.

That prompted corruption officials to open an investigation, which critics said was politically motivated, and Sokha was later accused of procuring.

Four human rights workers and an election official who assisted the woman have already been jailed ahead of a separate trial on bribery charges.

On Wednesday, the Phnom Penh Post said a letter had been sent by the CNRP to City Hall officials on Sept. 5, which told of plans to stage a demonstration outside the party’s headquarters on Friday.

City Hall spokesman Mean Chanyada could not be reached Wednesday to confirm if the protest would be banned.

On Wednesday, CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann told Anadolu Agency that the party had been given a green light to stage a gathering outside HQ on Friday when the trial opens, and had been assured that day that no barricades would be erected.

On Monday, police officials blockaded a stretch of National Road 2, which is a major route in and out of the city’s south, and on which the CNRP has its headquarters, after party members said they wanted to march to embassies to deliver letters about the human rights situation.

Asked about plans in the event that government forces try and enter the offices to arrest Sokha, Sovann said he could not divulge them, “but we hope for a peaceful solution and appeal to all stakeholders, especially the ruling party,” to achieve this.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told Anadolu Agency Wednesday that HRW had no legal right to interfere.

"They have no power or legitimacy to put pressure to the government or the Cambodian courts to drop this case," he said.

"The procedures are according to the rule of law."