Issued July 10, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC - SEIU president Andy Stern issued the following statement today in response to reports that violence and intimidation tactics have been used as part of a ruling party campaign to weaken political rivals prior to Cambodian national elections in July 2008:

 

"A fundamental tenet of democracy is the right to have a voice in the political decision-making process without fear of persecution. Yet when Mu Sochua, a leading voice for human and workers' rights in Cambodia and a candidate for Parliament with the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), acted to defend the principles of free and fair elections, she faced serious threat and physical assault at the hands of the ruling party's officials.

 

"Cambodian citizens should be able to cast their votes without intimidation and act upon their political affiliation without the threat of violence. International communities and government officials must keep striving towards the end of the systemic corruption that continues to strip Cambodian people of their rights to land, quality education and health care, and a life of dignity.

 

"Fifteen years after Cambodia first embarked on the road to democracy, acts of violence against trade unionists and other human rights defenders by the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) must not be tolerated.

 

"In solidarity with the efforts of Sochua and her fellow non-ruling party activists fighting to support Democratic elections by condemning election violence, SEIU calls on the government of Cambodia and the National Election Committee to ensure that the 2008 parliamentary election be free of violence and that all measures be taken to respect the principles of free and fair elections."

 

To learn more about Mu Sochua and the Cambodian elections, please click here.