Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 22 - Cambodia National Rescue Party, a combination of Sam Rainsy Party and Human Right Party, has officially been dissolved by Supreme Court, following the ruling on November 16th, 2017.
The irreversible verdict also barred 118 members of the opposition from politics for five years. The decision was overwhelmingly welcomed by the majority of government institutions, civil organizations and the public, as well as some foreign friends who recognized the CPP-led government`s efforts to safeguard peace, stability and development of Cambodia, despite being criticized by the opposition and a few foreign nations who were behind the opposition`s plan to betray Cambodia.
So, what would the verdict mean to Cambodia?
1. The Supreme Court`s decision was made in the circumstance in which Cambodia were facing foreign interference and its peace were under threatened by the failed “color revolution,” allegedly with secret foreign support. The ruling was seen as to strengthen the compliance of the national constitution and other valid laws, all of which were complied with the rule of law and multiparty democracy. It also was to maintain and strengthen nationalism among all Cambodians to safeguard peace, political stability and development, as well as our nation`s independence, sovereignty and dignity. Why did some foreigners try to exaggerate and confuse the public on this issue?
2. Against the opposition`s harmful actions against its own nation and people`s interest, Prime Minister Hun Sen on November 16th, 2017, told foreign nations that Cambodia was observing its own law. He added that whatever happened, they should not repeat the past, when they supported General Lon Nol [leading to the rise of the Khmer Rouge]. He hoped that the past would not relive, and also hoped that all Cambodians would continue to enjoy the benefits of the peace and development in Cambodia brought by CPP in the last 40 years. Some superpowers, who used CNRP as their puppet in their attempts to topple Samdach Techo Hun Sen, should stop their plan, as all Cambodians knew so well who were the true nationalists. Don`t try to demolish any countries that you disliked. Don`t try to topple any leaders who didn`t support your idea or who didn`t serve your interest by accusing their governments to have no true democracy and human rights!
3. Cambodian people found it hard to accept some foreign politicians` comment, especially that of U.S. senator John McCain, allegedly the mastermind of the Ukraine`s “color revolution”, who attempted to interfere Cambodia`s internal affairs. John McCain would be disappointed to find out that a party he used in an attempt to attack peace and development in Cambodia was dissolved. That`s the reason why the senator tried time and time again to interfere Cambodia`s internal affairs and mounted pressure on Cambodia based solely on incomplete, bias report by the opposition. Cambodia was thankful of our friends` good intention, but they should recognize the will of Cambodian people who wanted to protect their peace and development. If Cambodia took no legal action against CNRP and allowed the opposition did what they had done [like after the 2013 election], it would jeopardize Cambodia`s democracy and may push Cambodia into another civil war because the opposition always employed hatred, discriminated and incited rhetoric language against other parties. Such actions badly affected our national integrity.
4. Even though CNRP was dissolved by foreign conspiracy lawsuit, there were many other opposition parties who were readied to challenge in the upcoming elections. The seat holes in the parliament, Municipal/Provincial councils, Khan/District councils and Sangkat/Commune councils left as a result of the CNRP`s dissolution would be redistributed to the competing parties in the last elections based on the law. In the near future, there would be at least 3 opposition parties in the parliament. Multiparty democracy process may work smoother than when the 55-seat CNRP was in the parliament and violated the national constitution and law, betraying its own nation and people`s will. The more political parties in the parliament, the livelier and more colorful the multiparty democracy in Cambodia. Cambodia was not a sole party, as raised by some foreign nations who pretended to love Cambodia more than Cambodians did. It also disproved that Cambodia`s parliament was a sole party.
As he pleaded for calm, following the dissolution of the CNRP, PM Hun Sen reaffirmed the government`s strong commitment to protect multiparty democracy and rule of law, based on the Kingdom`s constitution. He added that the upcoming free and fair elections would be organized by NEC – an independent election body – one of which would be the senate election which would be held on February 25th, 2018 and another one was parliamentary election which would be held on July 29th, 2018. Both elections laid the foundation for the multiparty democracy in Cambodia.
By Pol Peanrin
