#CAMBODIA: Supreme Court Outlaws Main Opposition Party Ahead Of 2018 Elections

[world politics news]

Cambodia's Supreme Court has dissolved the country's main opposition party, leaving the government with no significant competitor ahead of elections next year. The Cambodia National Rescue Party was accused of plotting to topple the government - charges it denies, and describes as politically motivated. More than 100 party members are now banned from politics for five years. Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has ruled for 32 years.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CAMBODIA: National Assembly Denied Request To Grill Gov't Over Murder Case

[world politics news]

Saying the issue a court matter, the president of Cambodia’s National Assembly has blocked the opposition National Rescue Party’s attempt to interrogate members of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s cabinet over the investigation into the July murder of popular political commentator and government critic Kem Ley. The move prevents the National Assembly from questioning Interior Minister Sar Kheng and Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana in an open session.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CAMBODIA: King Pardons Opposition's Kem Sokha At Request Of PM To Cool Tensions

[world politics news]

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni has granted a royal pardon to a leader of the main opposition party, at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen, holding out hope for compromise after a period of rising political tension. Kem Sokha, a leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was sentenced to five months in jail in September after failing to appear in court in connection with a case against two of his party colleagues.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CAMBODIA: Lawmaker Stripped Of Legal Status In Nat'l Assembly; Faces Arrest On Defamation Charge

[world politics news]

Cambodia’s parliament voted to remove opposition leader Sam Rainsy's lawmaker status and strip him of his immunity following a court order for his arrest on a seven-year-old defamation conviction, drawing condemnation from the U.S. and rights groups who demanded that he be reinstated. He's delaying returning from a trip to South Korea.