CALD resolution condemning the recent verdict on Sam Rainsy

CALD Resolution No. 8 S. 2010

CALD resolution condemning the recent verdict on Hon. Sam Rainsy, MP, leader of Cambodia’s second largest political party; calling for independence of the judiciary in Cambodia and respect for political dissent; and expressing its unwavering support for the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) in its continuing struggle to strengthen democratic institutions and instil democratic reforms in the country.

Appalled by the September 23 court ruling sentencing Mr. Sam, in absentia, to ten years in prison with a fine of US$15,730 for disinformation and falsifying public documents relating to the maps he released on Vietnamese territorial encroachment claims;

Aware that Mr. Sam, who is in self-imposed exile in Europe, was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail last January 2010 after being convicted for racial incitement and the destruction of public property;

Concerned that the barrage of cases filed and cases decided against the main opposition party, SRP, and its members sets a precedent that undermines the right of the opposition to achieve impartial and unbiased justice;

Alarmed by the report of United Nation’s human rights envoy to Cambodia, Surya Subedi, which stated that theCambodian court system “continues to be hobbled by political interference, corruption and a lack of resources.” The same report also pointed out that “although the Constitution of Cambodia provides for the separation of powers between the three main organs of the State, in practice the distinction between these organs is blurred and the executive branch dominates the judiciary;”

Reiterating the sentiment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, which “reaffirms that the judicial action against Mr. [Sam] Rainsy bears no relationship to the alleged offence";

Bothered that the ruling party’s continued abuse of executive power, persecution of the opposition, and disregard of democratic institutions and processes will further weaken the democratic standing of Cambodia in the eyes of the Cambodian people and of the international community;

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats hereby echoes the appeal of Mr. Sam to the international community, particularly to parliamentarians across the globe, to support the Sam Rainsy Party and the Cambodian people in their continuing struggle for human rights, rule of law, judicial independence and true democracy in their country; condemns the recent verdict on Hon. Sam Rainsy, MP, leader of Cambodia’s second largest political party; calls for independence of the judiciary in Cambodia and respect for political dissent; and expresses its unwavering support for the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) in its struggle to strengthen democratic institutions and instil democratic reforms in the country.