Political situation in Cambodia

  • Media release

Australiais deeply concerned by the dissolution of Cambodia's main opposition party, theCambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and the banning of CNRP parliamentariansand officials from engaging in politics for five years.

Thisdevelopment has serious implications for democracy in Cambodia. It is theculmination of a series of troubling actions, including reduced access to freemedia, restrictions on civil society and intimidation of the opposition,specifically the detention of CNRP Leader Kem Sokha.

TheCambodian people are committed to democracy, demonstrated by the high turnoutat the most recent commune election. With the dissolution of the CNRP, asignificant number of votes cast in that election are no longer recognised.

Asa friend of Cambodia, Australia urges the Cambodian Government to allow all itscitizens to exercise their democratic rights, particularly ahead of the 2018national election.

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