HRP Blasts Passage of =91Organic=92 Law
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original re****t from Phnom Penh
18 April 2008
The Human Rights Party on Friday condemned the passage of a law that
will pave the way for commune council voting at district, provincial
and municipal levels.
The so-called =93organic law,=94 passed by the National Assembly earlier
this month, provides a means by which commune council members vote for
councils of provinces, municipalities, and districts.
The Human Rights Party said the law will favor parties already in
government: the ruling Cambodian People=92s Party, its coalition
partner, Funincpec, and the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.
=93The Human Rights Party has a policy to promote a pro****tional system
of election, to open an op****tunity for young intellectuals using
their knowledge, capacity and popularity to be responsible for people
over parties,=94 said Keo Remy, HRP vice president.
SRP Secretary-General Eng Chhay Ieng said that while his party has
seats in commune councils across the country, which will have a say
under the new law, Funcinpec does not, and so the coalition party=92s
sup****t of the law was =93confusing.=94
But Funcinpec lawmaker Khieu Sorn said his party would have to work
harder to gain seats in the next round of commune elections.
Not all Funcinpec parliamentarians voted for the law, he added.
Newly established parties will face difficulties in administrative
representation under the new law, said CPP lawmaker Chiem Yeap, =93but
we must respect it.=94
=93This organic law serves Cambodia=92s general interest, but does not
serve the party interest,=94 he said. =93This organic law is im****tant for
the whole nation, particularly from low- to high-level and from the
king to ordinary people.=94
In its years of reconstruction, Cambodia has never held an election
for provincial, municipal or district councils. They have in the past
been appointed positions.
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