I would like to inform you that I read the article “Donors Silent As CPP Plots Party-Busting Legislation” (February 16), which stated, “The National Assembly will vote on Monday on landmark legislation giving the government unprecedented new powers to suspend and dissolve its political rivals,” and later that Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen “made clear they were aimed at the CNRP, his only viable challenger in coming commune and national elections.”
This interpretation does not accurately conform to the content of the proposed amendments to stipulations in the Law on Political Parties. I would like to state that the contents of the proposed amendments apply to every political party in the Kingdom of Cambodia; it does not only apply to any particular political party. Regarding the suspension or dissolution of any political party, it would be because that political party’s actions contrast with the Constitution, the Law on Political Parties and other existing laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
As stipulated in the proposed amendment to the Law on Political Parties, Article 34 (new): “There is no authority with the right to dissolve any political party, except when that party is dissolved by the court,” and Article 38 (new): “All political parties shall respect the Constitution, the Law on Political Parties and other existing laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia.”
Chheang Vun
CPP spokesman
