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Cambodia slams chairperson of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights for interfering in internal affairs

Xinhua, December 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Cambodia on Wednesday lashed out at an ASEAN leader of parliamentarians for his call on the Cambodian government to end persecution of the opposition party, saying it is interference in the country's internal affairs.

The Cambodian foreign ministry "wishes to remind Mr. Charles Santiago, who is a parliamentarian of Malaysia, as ASEAN chairman, must fully respect the sacred principle of ASEAN of 'non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States' as stated in Article 2 of the ASEAN Charter," ministry spokesman Chum Sounry said in a statement.

The remarks came after Charles Santiago made a statement on Monday urging the Cambodian government to immediately reinstate opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) president Sam Rainsy and vice president Kem Sokha to their positions in the National Assembly.

Charles Santiago, the chairperson of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, also called on the Cambodian government to drop all charges against Rainsy and to take measures to ensure the security and freedom of opposition lawmakers and activists.

In regard to the arrest warrant for Rainy, who is currently living in self-imposed exile, the spokesman said that Rainsy was sentenced in absentia in 2011 to two years in prison over defamation and instigation for discrimination.

"As a state of law, the court's verdict shall be enforced," he said, adding that since Rainsy has become a convict, his parliamentarian status and immunity shall be deprived automatically in line with Cambodia's Law on the Statute of Members of the National Assembly and the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly.

For the removal of Sokha as the first vice president of the National Assembly, the spokesman said the deputy opposition leader had used his parliamentary position to defame the government and its leaders, resorted to xenophobic and divisive rhetoric to fuel racist sentiments, and incited the people to rise against the legitimate government.

For the assault on two CNRP lawmakers on Oct. 26 while they left the National Assembly, Sounry said both the government and parliament of Cambodia strongly condemned the act of violence and three perpetrators were arrested and sent to the court for prosecution. Enditem