PHNOM PENH, May 8 (AP) - (Kyodo)—A coalition of some 30 Cambodian nongovernmental organizations expressed concern Thursday over the ruling party's use of the judiciary against opposition parties ahead of Cambodia's general election to be held in July.
The coalition, called "Action Committee," said the judiciary is being used "to prevent politicians from participating in the elections, especially those who compete with the present ruling party."

"There has been insufficient political space for non-ruling parties in the pre-election period to ensure their free and equal participation," it said in a statement.

Court cases are currently pending against the two opposition leaders, including a criminal lawsuit filed against Prime Minister Hun Sen's longtime political nemesis Sam Rainsy by Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong, a leading member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party who also serves as Hun Sen's deputy.

Sam Rainsy, leader of the main opposition Sam Rainsy Party, is being sued for defamation of character and disinformation for disparaging remarks the opposition leader allegedly made at an April 17 public rally.

The other case involves Prince Norodom Ranariddh, former leader of the FUNCINPEC party, the CPP's junior partner in the coalition government, who now heads the Norodom Ranariddh Party.

FUNCINPEC has filed a criminal lawsuit against the prince for breach of trust, accusing him of mishandling the party's assets when he was its leader. Hun Sen has made continuous efforts to marginalize the prince from Cambodian politics.

On Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli said he was concerned the suit filed against Sam Rainsy by the foreign minister could have an affect on the general election in July.

"As a general principle, the United States strongly believes that defamation and disinformation should never be criminal cases," he said in remarks carried by Voice of America.

If found guilty, Sam Rainsy could face a fine for defamation but imprisonment for disinformation.

Cambodian veteran political observer Lao Mong Hay, currently a senior researcher at the Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong, said it is widely known that Cambodia's courts are politically controlled and almost all judges and prosecutors belong to the CPP.

"It seems that the courts are again being used to cripple political opponents," he said. "It is hard for both Sam Rainsy and Norodom Ranariddh to expect any prompt or fair trial so they might win their cases and freely and fully lead their respective parties to compete in the election."

"This use of courts as instruments of political oppression could mar the whole of the electoral process. It could impair the fairness of the forthcoming election and undermine the legitimacy of the new government," he added.

8 May 2008
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