 |
|
A Cambodian officer watches a live feed video in the
press room at the National Assembly in Phnom Penh on June 7, 2013. Cambodia on
June 7 banned the denial of atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime with
a new law, a move the opposition claims is a political attack weeks ahead of
national polls.
AFP
|
AFP
Saturday, Jun 08, 2013
WASHINGTON - The United States said Saturday it was
"deeply concerned" by reports that opposition lawmakers have been
expelled from Cambodia's national assembly.
"Such a decision starkly contradicts the spirit of a
healthy democratic process," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said.
On Wednesday, the 28 lawmakers belonging to Cambodia's
two only opposition parties were told they were no longer valid members of
parliament by a permanent parliamentary committee made up of ruling party
members.
The committee said it was taking the step as the parties
had joined to form a new opposition organization ahead of July elections and
were therefore not eligible to remain as MPs.
Opposition lawmakers rejected the move and said
parliament itself was rendered invalid by telling them they were no longer MPs.
Parliament is currently not in session as it takes a
break before the July 28 polls.
Saying the United States was "deeply concerned"
by the reports, Psaki called on assembly leaders "to allow all elected
members to fulfill their commitment to serve the Cambodian people."
"We strongly support a political process that
includes the full participation of all political parties on a level playing
field," she said in a statement.
"Stripping the salaries and parliamentary status of
opposition party legislators deprives the Cambodian people of their voice and
hurts the democratic process in Cambodia.
"Full participation of all elected representatives
is essential to the democratic process," Psaki added.
No comments:
Post a Comment