2015-11-25
The government denied leave for the below motion to be considered.
NOTICE OF MOTION
I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move that -
The Senate:
a) Notes with deep concern recent political developments in Cambodia, including:
i. The issuing of an arrest warrant based on seven-year-old defamation charges against opposition Leader Sam Rainsy and his subsequent removal from parliament and stripping of his parliamentary immunity;
ii. Violent attacks against opposition parliamentarians;
iii. The removal of Opposition Party Deputy Leader Kem Sokha from his post as vice-president of the National Assembly.
b) Calls on the Cambodian Government to:
i. Revoke the arrest warrant issued against Mr Rainsy, and allow him and other opposition parliamentarians to return to Cambodia without fear of arrest or persecution;
ii. Protect and uphold the tenets of multi-party democracy, and take concrete steps to guarantee a free and safe political space;
iii. Engage with the opposition in open dialogue on actions to strengthen Cambodia's democracy.