Cambodia Senatorial Election needed to be universal

Cambodia Senatorial Election needed to be universal
Article 100 needed to be re-examined and amended in the people best interest of voters accordingly!

By Prak Hap
April 28, 2005

The necessary mechanisms for accountability are not in place. The government of Prime Minister Hun Sen seems to be increasingly autocratic and is concentrating power behind a shaky facade of democracy, impunity a "gangrene" that undermines the fabric of Cambodian society. The rampant corruption in Cambodia is hindering the country's progress toward democracy and economic development; problems of impunity have become systemic to the detriment of the society, more pessimistic than ever about the future of the country”, said Mr. Leuprecht in his report dated November 2004 circulating in the UN Human Right Commission plainly stated Cambodia political responsibility was strongly indicative of malfeasance and a serious fraud on Mr. Hun Sen behalf that warranted legal corrective and prudence.

After all there is other concern comes to mind “the Senatorial future election. In 1997 out of the political hostage and raw deals the 61 seats of six year term Senate came out of the patch up constitutional amendments. This institution was supposedly to be an upper legislative body but yet it was cooked up undemocratically.

Please look at the noted articles in bold appear bias with the self guaranteed protective clauses. Also in the so called new Constitution lacks of concrete defined role and limitation of individual legislative officer who holds more than one office especially Legislative and Administrative at the same time for example Mr. Hun Sen himself is Prime Minister and MP along with the majority of his key ministers. This may be a set back in enforcement of law and moral ethic as it appears double dipping.

Article 34: (new): Khmer citizens of either sex shall enjoy the right to vote and to stand as candidates for the election. Khmer citizens of either sex of at least 40 years old, have the right to stand as candidates for the election as members of the Senate. Provisions restricting the right to vote and to stand for the election shall be defined in the Electoral Law. This appears universal and makes sense but look at the following articles are rather obvious of pejorative and self-serving,

Article 99: (new) Some of the Senate members shall be appointed and some others shall be elected by non-universal election. Senate members may be re-appointed and re-elected. Those who may have right run in the election of members of the Senate, are Khmer citizens of both sexes of at least 40 years of age, who have Khmer nationality at birth and who have right to vote.

Please note as Khmer nationality not Cambodian or equivalent Kampuchean, this qualification is clearly undefined and lacks of concrete legal characteristic interpretation and conditional residence. It appears caved in for non definite established Cambodia residence career political individual benefits.

Other is the lack of prerequisite personal integrity and moral character of its members. Among many in present Senate were implicated from treason, political murder, grand theft, embezzlement, conspiracy, grafting or outright tyrant with past grotesque histories.

Article 100: (new) Two Senate members shall be appointed by the King. Two Senate members shall be elected by comparative majority of votes. The other Senate members shall be elected by the non-universal election. This underlined sentence is obviously a self-serving intent for the ruling as it is reiterated in previous article.

The Senate was a bloody deal out of the feudal factionalism and 1997 orchestrated anarchy. That was not the best interest of the nation but people bitterly accepted it with the understanding the new term senate will be decided by universal vote. After the self imposed extension, now the speculation is on the streets, the grafted Senate is up for election but quietly not universally in January 2006? The words are the intended procedure and mechanism seems are in resemblance of China or country ruled by dictatorial process.

More than six years passed, the government is supposed to have legislated laws for the senate electoral proceeds but the ruling leadership is still influenced by the arbitrary feudalist- autocratic system. Likewise it attempts to protect its group special interest by way of its dictated rules and venues. This really reinforces Mr. Leuprecht critical report credibility a nearly prophetic call.

Therefore it is only conscionable thing to do is to let people and citizen legally and morally qualified to run for the seats based on universal vote. The decision should be of the people not the political apparatus or the ruling clans. Importantly the government must keep its hands off the democracy choke hold any longer. The initial setting of constitutional amendments badly needed to be revamped due to the appearance of rubber stamping Senate. Meanwhile the very same officials should keep out their hands of people pockets.

The world becomes less patient with the incessant abuses from the ruling echelons. Let's show the world Khmers are decent and sensible Buddhist people who are graciously re-paying the world with sense of self-dignity and morality. Other word let democracy takes its course please let people vote their conscience to have what they deserve for a change, enough free ride for the last 7 years.

The senatorial election belongs to all eligible voters and society to determine who is best fitted to serve people and Cambodia interest

SUBMITTED BY: Hap Prak Email: prakhap....@hotmail.com Fri, 29 Apr 2005

my recent 3 week trip to the kingdom

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all the Cambodian people who made my recent 3 week trip to the kingdom such an absoloutely inspirational expierience.

I think the helpfullness,dignity and pragmatism with which people who live there (not to mention their high inclination to smile)conduct themselves could be a lesson to many of the population in the western world.

I am hoping to return to teach English in the very near future.

Thank you all!

Stuart Humphreys (Newbury,U.K.)

SUBMITTED BY: Hap Prak Email: stui....@hotmail.co.uk Wed, 27 Apr 2005

Letter to Mr.Leuprecht UNHR Envoy

April 20, 2005

The Honorable Peter Leuprecht
Human Rights Special Envoy to Cambodia
United Nations of Geneva
Palais des Nations
Avenue de la Paix 8-14
1211 Genève 10, Suisse

Dear Mr. Leuprecht:

There is no doubt as an ancient scholar Lao Tzu put, over 2500 years ago, “truthful words are not beautiful and beautiful words are not truthful.” Per your words we see reality of such meaningful and truthful act of duly responsibility on your own behalf. I wish to indeed congratulate you for expressing your explicit and critical views to the UN Human Rights Commission in regard to Cambodia government progress report.

It was heartfelt and gratifying feeling to have read your plain and direct statement on the unacceptable conduct of Cambodia government and its leadership toward democracy and importantly human rights.

As one of many Cambodia Killing Fields survivors living abroad with many families left behind under the rule of the so called Iron Fist leader and his incompetent cronies I find it refreshing to see justice and truly advocacy on your behalf to heighten the suffering and hopelessness of Cambodia to the world conscience.

The term Iron Fist invoked the absolute act of evil that many worldly known dictators were associated with. In literary sense in Khmer that scared the day light out peasantry as the ones who bear the worst brunt of all.

With obvious reasons, we ask you to continue pressuring this Iron Fist government be decent and respectful of UN wishes in order to prevent bloodshed and civil disobedience. To date UN Assembly should take measure to remove Cambodia from seat at the assembly or suspend what necessary until compliance is in place. Current government understood enforced determination and obligation rather than own willful gesture.

Many of my fellows here in US, have echoed and respectfully applauded your candid and succinct report as a sign of aspiration and eventually hope to see action be considered to alleviate the evidence of proof burden of injustice done by the current government and its apparatus.

Please accept on our friends and families behalf, we wish you well and success in your vital mission to defend people rights. I can be reached at either numbers__________ or mobile __________ or email: prakh....@hotmail.com if should you have question.


May this New Year bring you good spirit, and health. Once again, we thank you and colleagues for the efforts to keep Cambodia in reach of humanity.


Sincerely,

Prak Hap



CC: Mrs. Louise Arbour HR Commissionner
Mr. Kofi Annan Secretary General

SUBMITTED BY: Hap Prak Email: prakhap....@hotmail.com Wed, 20 Apr 2005

It 's been 30 years all ready since the genocide

It 's been 30 years all ready since the genocide! where the justic?Where are the people whose hand was deep in blood of it own people? well most of them are DEAD
(they deserved that) and the other are in the root deep in the So Call current governemnt.

Come on! it didn't take millions of dollars fot the Khmer Rought to kills it own people, why is the current government ( Hun Sen) needs More than 20 millions of dollar to trial couple of old ex-Khmer Rough ? Well Happy 30th annaversity to people who are dead!. I guest not, THEY ALL DEAD! for those who are living in the big Villa and are responsible or take part in the regimes, I hope you ALL roten to DEAD by the blood of your owned people!!!!

SUBMITTED BY: vitou Email: fast....@sbcglobal.net Sun, 17 Apr 2005

It Is Time For A Change

The leadership of Cambodia which was installed since 1979 by Vietnam needs to be replaced. Because it is not helpful for our people and the country.

It currently still allows Vietnamese to come to our country illegally. And once they come in, they will not return back to their country, because they have the support of the present government of our country. And when there is a problem with Vietnam, for instance, their soldiers crossed into our wafers and started shooting at our coast guards. Our coast guards were beaten and arrested, and our leader said nothing about it. For another example,

if a couple of Vietnamese were killed, prime minister Hun Sen will be summoned to Vietnam and a few days later some people will be arrested. That is how things are in Cambodia, when we have a puppet leader. Vietnam has always been our bitter enemy, and it will never forget its intention of swallowing Cambodia. When it withdrew its troops from Cambodia in the 90's, it wasn't its choice. It was because there was a resistance of our people to their occupation, and also the pressure from the United Nations. So I hope the next eletion will be free and fair, because the last couple times were not free and fair. The opposition party members got assasinated. We must remember how we lost the Khmer Krom, which consists of 21 provinces. One reason was, we were weak. But now we have the U.N. if we need help, it will do its job. So I hope we will have a new leader during the next eletion that will lead us to prosperity and a bright future instead of being in the shadow of Youn.

SUBMITTED BY: Van Cheoung Email: Van....@aol.com Sun, 17 Apr 2005

Who’s Your Hero?

Who’s Your Hero?
By Prak Hap
April 15, 2005

As first time parents many have had this experience as I did when my first grade child caught me by surprise with his three word question while I was preoccupied in the kitchen on one Spring Saturday morning back in 1991. Then days later my nieces, same age as my son, popped the same question at me again when they were visiting us. Weeks later, our families got together for a cook out in my backyard. There were about 10 kids in grade school with us in that cool afternoon.

Kids had plan and warned me to stay out of it. One noticeable thing about kids they stuck together and off they did pop the same question to other adults. I realized myself as I saw all faces were awestruck and fell silence. But kids insisted, some adults mumbled and others affectionately yelled at kids with a question answer “what’s that, huh?”

The simple question required soul searching for brief moment. The chat and tease was on hold as kids giggled and repeated the question. Adults looked at one another and gave kids some answers that did not meet their learned answer. Parents tried to impress their own kids with well known singers, cartoon characters, athletes or some big names comedians but to no good. The children shared answers with each others and enjoyed adult dumbstruck reaction to their simple question with a lack of spontaneity.

I recalled my moment was one on one. Actually I was lost for moment with known names but thought that served no purpose for my kid memory. My parents were my answer. Also I mentioned that in Cambodia farming background and no big name in public domain was not socially respected. My child gave me the cutest smiling surprise. Yaw’ sure Pouk, he asked? Then he came close and whispered “Good Pouk (father in Khmer).” The reply he was proud, his grandparents were earth linked people. In the evening he did share with his mother the same thing.

The point is kids expected us to be ready and provided them confidence even with the most simple thing. My son taught me the unexpected may be the clue for best answer that mattered most was within the house. He said his teacher told him root was important matter for a person. That was very meaningful and exemplary pride for them. They did not care about others but their people whom they already knew. A lot of time people looked outward for best answer but kid liked it better if it was family root.

Khmer emphasis on heroism is more altruistic and divine. Often parents used riddle in morality guidance such as we must first worship in-house before outside divines. No other divine is far better than own. Thus it invoked memories that Khmer way of teaching heroic virtue and loyalty was far more tactful than the comparable. This little example made me proud of my early Khmer public education in morality.

SUBMITTED BY: Hap Prak Email: prakhap....@hotmail.com Sat, 16 Apr 2005

WHO’S THE JOKE NOW

WHO’S THE JOKE NOW ?

By Prak Hap

April 11, 2005

Days ago, the former king insinuated and implied denouncements for Mr. Hun Sen failure to implement action on his tough in talk policy. For that CPP Chief Executive was in a boiled blood indirect dialogue with former King and staff. Apparently he does not appreciate criticism even though what said was likely the reality.

After all, Cambodia is dwindling in the same woe as under Sihanouk oscillatory rule almost 40 years ago. Now Mr.Hun Sen is in the same situation,same age,same position as Sihanouk then overseeing same passive aggressive ministers who still do the same thing not to seriously address people poverty but their own. At the time Sihanouk blasted his critics from right i.e Mr.Sim Var,Mr. Son Ngoc Thanh and from far far left i.e Chau Seng, Khieu Samphan as Blue or Red Khmers who wished harm for his government.

Under present circumstances, the pact R.Ridh and Hun Sen can’t easily label Sam Rainsy as Red since they knew of themselves but as too servitude of foreign influences. But the naked truth is backfired on CPP as it still remains adherent to the pulse of Viet Nam for almost 30 years.

Instead of meeting demands of accountability and corrective of donor countries that have provided almost $600 million annually,Prime Minster Hun Sen quickly accept any change from China to spite the free society donors. He also knows that China is still totalitarian one man decision and not fond of his association with Viet Nam in toppling its favorite client ,DK in 1978. While Viet Nam is strongly seeking US recognition and military aids to reposition itself with the rest of the world, Hun Sen hurrily flexed muscle at Laos then moving closer to despicable human rights abuser, Myanmar military junta or Saddam Hussein.

The haunting ghost of deja vu is in full play as rampant corruption, non-transparency, and abuse of power are cuddling on the iron lips Prime Minister lap now. The former king enjoys his moment of pay back to all of his critics especially his never had son. It was easier said as the former King puts it. In lieu of calling people to revolt against Hun Sen as he used to in the past, he grudgingly taunts what is happening to Mr.Strongman of Iron lips and who’s the joke now?

I think Sihanouk still somewhat very fond of Mr. Hun Sen because their resemblance in political personas and protagonistic tendency. Consider the former King is still tolerant of his opponent at this point in life.May be Mr.Hun Sen should not over do it before the former King changed his mind to run for Prime Ministerial job in 2008. That will be real funny for all, but he will get my over night absentee vote ballot delivery now.

SUBMITTED BY: Hap Prak Email: prakhap....@hotmail.com Mon, 11 Apr 2005

freedom of expression, press, publication and assembly are being prohibited

By Samoeun Chhim

Since the new coalition government has been formed in the year of 2003 beween Funcinpec and CPP, the freedom of expression, press, publication and assembly are being prohibited. For example, the Human Rights Group whose leader is Mr. Kim Sokha has been baned from the public pagoda from spreading the democracy to Cambodian by the chief of monk named Tep Vong who is supporting the CPP and Hun Sen, and Kim Sokha is also involved in the court case regarding his expression toward corruption politician. And recently, Sam Rainsy Party activists were trying to have their meeting in Kompong Speu Province was kicked away. Furthermore, many more organizations as other human rights group, union group and youth activist are also disallowed.

I think the Article 41 of Cambodian Constitution stated that "khmer citizens shall have freedom of expression, press, publication and assembly.." has been violated. This government has dismayed our freedom of expressions. Moreover, the government just improvided a new clause to prohibit the freedom of assembly by saying that all assembly or peace protest must be request for permission.

To me, the permission is meaning "no" when the peace protest or assembly is not in supporting Hun Sen or his government or even his CPP Party.

In addition, the freedom of expression, press, assembly and more...are going down the drain even further if the influential people like King Norodom Sihanouk afraid to say something. For example, in March 31, 2005, Radio Free Asia and the Cambodia Daily reported that the former king of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk will not publish Roum Rit's article on his website regarding that Roum Rit's article is criticizing Hun Sen, Ranaridh and some family of the former king very heavy. Roum Rit's comment always aims at Hun Sen, Norodom Ranaridh and their wishy washy government. The former king decision not to publish Roum Rit's article again because Hun Sen and Norodom Ranaridh responded to the comment very unpleasantly. Especially, the mockery response was toward the former king rather than Roum Rit.

Hearing this response from the former king, I was so upset. If you are the most famous and influent person in the country and in the world and you show this example to us who are trying to fight for these rights, you have made us very disappointed.

SUBMITTED BY: Samoeun Chhim Email: Sam....@hotmail.com Fri, 1 Apr 2005