IPU welcomes release of Cambodian MPs and political agreement between government and opposition

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy shake hands after reaching an agreement to end the country´s nearly year-long political deadlock. ©REUTERS/Stringer

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has welcomed the release of seven Cambodian opposition MPs arrested last week on insurrection charges over their alleged role in a violent protest in Phnom Penh on 15 July.  

Nevertheless, IPU reiterates its call to the Cambodian authorities to fully respect due process and drop all charges against the MPs immediately unless strong evidence is produced. According to IPU sources, the parliamentarians have been freed on bail and are still facing an eventual court hearing.

The release occurred immediately after the announcement of a long-awaited agreement between the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy to end the country´s nearly year-long political deadlock.

Last week, IPU had called for the immediate release of the seven MPs arrested after a demonstration opposing the continued closure of the only protest site in the capital, Democracy Plaza, turned violent. Many security guards and opposition supporters were injured.

The case of the seven MPs has been referred to IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians which will investigate by taking into account information provided from both the authorities and the complainants.

IPU also welcomes the agreement between the government and the main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which has agreed to end a parliamentary boycott one year after disputed national elections. According to official results, the CNRP had won 55 seats in the National Assembly.
 
In exchange, the government has accepted the overhaul of the electoral commission accused by the opposition of rigging the election in favour of the ruling party, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Both parties have committed to resolving disputes within parliament.

“This is a step in the right direction. Parliament is the place to work together to find solutions to political disputes through dialogue. IPU is ready to help with this so that the Cambodian parliament can deliver on the mandate given it by the Cambodian people,” says IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong.