Labor is deeply concerned by the Cambodian Supreme Courts decision to dissolve the countrys main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and ban CNRP parliamentarians and officials from engaging in politics for five years.
This decision, following on from the September arrest on treason charges of the Cambodian Opposition Leader, Kem Sokha, and the continuing crackdown on political and press freedoms ahead of the country's national elections is a serious assault on freedom and democracy in Cambodia.
Labor believes it is essential that Cambodia has a viable opposition and a free press in the lead up to national elections, and we are deeply concerned by any potential human rights violations that put this at risk.
Australia has a long history working with the Cambodian people to create a fairer and more democratic Cambodia. The Paris Peace Accords, in which Australia played a central role, promised the Cambodian people the right to free and fair elections.
It is entirely a matter for the Cambodian people which party they choose to govern them but the Cambodian people deserve the right to free and fair elections as they were promised in the Paris Peace accords.
Labor is deeply concerned about human rights violations, wherever they occur, and calls on the Turnbull Government to continue to speak out on this issue.