HRP to boycott parliamentary debates on anti-corruption laws

By Khmerization
Source: DAP News

The Human Rights Party (SRP) has announced that it will boycott the parliamentary session to debate the government-drafted anti-corruption laws due to take place on 10th March, reports Deum Ampil.

In a statement bearing the signatures of its three MPs released on 5th March, the SRP said the reasons for its boycott are because it feels that MPs are not given enough time to examine and review the draft bill.

Opposition MPs and social activists claimed that, the long-awaited anti-corruption laws that were drafted in 1996, but were kept in secrecy until 5th March 2010, didn't go far enough. The laws were revealed to MPs only 5 days before the parliamentary debates are due to take place.

Mr. Kem Sokha (pictured), President of the HRP, said his party's boycott doesn't mean that his party is against the adoption of anti-corruption laws. On the contrary, it boycotts the parliamentary session because it wants the government to allow more time for review and examination to improve thelaws.

Mr. Cheam Yeap, senior MP from the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said the boycott of parliamentary sessions is the rights of individuals and political parties. He said, however, that the parliamentary debates of the anti-corruptionlaws will go ahead on 10th March regardless of whether the HRP attend the parliamentary session or not.