CAMBODIA - Cambodia criticises foreign ‘interference’ in election

Cambodia criticises foreign ‘interference’ in election

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia yesterday accused foreign governments of interfering in its internal politics after the United States voiced strong concern at the expulsion of opposition lawmakers from parliament before elections next month.

All 28 members of parliament from the only two opposition parties were last week stripped of their salaries and status as lawmakers by a committee made up of ruling party members.

The opposition lawmakers were accused of violating parliament’s internal rules by leaving their parties to create a new political force to challenge Prime Minister Hun Sen’s nearly three decades in power in July 28 elections.

The US, in a statement released by its embassy in Phnom Penh, said it was “deeply concerned” by the move, which “starkly contradicts the spirit of a healthy democratic process”. The opposition accused the ruling party Sunday of orchestrating a mass protest against one of its leaders.      AFP