Press Release
February 9, 2006Drilon hails
granting of pardon to Cambodian opposition leader
MANILA, Feb. 9 --- Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is also
president of the Liberal Party of the Philippines and concurrent
chairman of the Council of Asian Liberals (CALD), today lauded the
granting of a royal pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni to Cambodian
opposition leader Sam Rainsy, a Member of Parliament who has been in
self-imposed exile for a year.
In December, a Cambodian court sentenced Rainsy in absentia to 18
months in jail for allegedly defaming the leaders of the governing
coalition. The surprise request for a pardon came from his long-time
adversary, Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Rainsy went to France last year after losing immunity from
prosecution. Earlier this week, Rainsy and Hun Sen agreed to make an
effort at reconciliation.
Opposition MP Cheam Channy, who has spent a year in prison, was also
pardoned and was expected to be freed soon. Both men will likely
have their parliamentary immunity reinstated.
In a statement, Drilon urged the Cambodian authorities to ensure the
safe return of Rainsy from his exile in Paris. "In behalf of the
CALD, we extend our profound gratitude to His Majesty King Norodom
Sihamoni for granting the royal pardon to Honorable Sam Rainsy,
leader of the opposition of Cambodia and former CALD Chairman."
"This is a positive step towards the easing of political tensions
between the ruling coalition and oppositionists and towards
meaningful reconciliation," Drilon added. "We are confident that
this development will ensure the safe return of Sam Rainsy after his
year long exile in Paris."
"We are also delighted over the release of parliamentarian Cheam
Channy after a year of incarceration in a Phnom Penh jail. We are
likewise relieved that various human rights activists and other
civil leaders have also been released after a series of arrests
early this year," Drilon further said.
"We are hopeful that the easing of political tension will result in
the immediate and unconditional restoration of the parliamentary
immunity of Messrs. Rainsy, Cheam and Chea Poch who were stripped of
their immunity on February 3, 2005 by the Cambodian National
Assembly," Drilon said. "We appeal to both the Cambodian government
and the opposition to pave the way for meaningful engagement and
dialogue."
Rainsy had accused Hun Sen of involvement in a grenade attack on an
opposition rally eight years ago. But a court ruled there was no
evidence to support the accusation.
The court also found Rainsy guilty of defaming Prince Norodom
Ranariddh, the National Assembly president, by accusing him of
taking bribes to have his royalist Funcinpec party join Hun Sen's
government.
In his statement, Drilon also announced that CALD will be holding a
major international conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia this April
focusing on the theme "Public Accountability in Overseas Development
Assistance."
"We hope that this conference can serve as a venue where both the
ruling government and the opposition can seat together to discuss
important issues and concerns affecting the welfare and future of
Cambodia," Drilon said. |