He said that Monday's decision by Cambodia's election commission to disqualify the Candlelight Party for what it said was failing to submit proper registration documents means the July polls would be a "fake and sham" election.
If the decision remains in place, independent election groups said it will further undermine an election already marked by the ongoing crackdown against the government’s critics.
Some activists and diplomats have warned against what they call long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen's actions to suppress opponents, fearing they could undermine the democratic process in the Southeast Asian country.
Hun Manet’s succession may be a fait accompli, but his democratic legitimacy will depend on how the CPP handles the upcoming elections
Locals hope for a return of Chinese investors
The pandemic ended a real estate boom and the market’s recovery is weak, causing concerns over financing problems in the heavily indebted sector.
Hun Sen said Thursday he had decided to cancel the new decree because "dolphins keep dying and thousands of fishing families were affected". "We want to protect dolphins that are at risk of becoming extinct, but dolphins keep dying," he said at an event in Phnom Penh.
Yim Sinorn, formerly a close aide to a prominent Cambodian opposition leader, was detained last month and charged with insulting the monarch and incitement to commit serious unrest in comments he posted on social media.
Taking on PM Hun Sen's ruling party, which holds all 125 seats in the National Assembly, the Candlelight Party is not expected to come near the 55 seats secured by the opposition a decade ago
The move in support of Voice of Democracy comes after authorities revoked the independent broadcaster's license
Rights groups warn of a deteriorating labor rights situation as three garment factories fired 20 workers recently after they attempted to form independent unions.
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