THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
ACTING SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
CAMBODIAN ELECTIONS
Labor is deeply concerned about the suppression of democracy in Cambodia and in particular Prime Minister Hun Sen's threats to unleash civil war if his bid to extend his 33 year rule is rejected in last weekend's election.
Labor welcomes the Government's decision to not send Australian election monitors which would have lent legitimacy to the sham election.
The dissolution of the main Opposition party ahead of the election, and curtailing of the free press is a serious assault on freedom and democracy in Cambodia
Labor has repeatedly called for Cambodia to restore a viable opposition and a free press in the lead up to national elections, and for the immediate release of Kem Sokha, imprisoned opposition leader of the now-disbanded Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP).
While the election of Cambodia's leaders is a matter for the Cambodian people, Australia has an interest in supporting the principles of free and fair elections, a robust political system with a viable opposition, and the right of the Cambodian people to elect a government of their choosing, in which they have a legitimate voice.
We echo the words of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who asked the Cambodian Government to ensure full respect for human rights, including the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.
We urge the Cambodian Government to allow its citizens to exercise their democratic rights
MONDAY 30 JULY 2018
