The CNRP said it had collected more than 170,000 thumbprints of supporters who wanted King Norodom Sihamoni to intervene in the ongoing political turmoil in Cambodia.
At least 16 other opposition members and supporters have been jailed since the two parties in late 2014 agreed to work together in parliament under a so-called culture of dialogue.
After the CPP-dominated parliament approved the motion, Son Chhay, chief opposition whip, said the vote was a violation of the constitution.
The comments came as the CNRP announced it was ready to organize mass protests in response to the attempted arrest of its deputy leader, Kem Sokha.
In 2012, Cambodia was criticized for failing to issue a joint statement related to the South China Sea dispute when Phnom Penh hosted the Asean Summit.
General Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, ruled out the possibility of issuing an amnesty for Rainsy while Hun Sen remained prime minister.
The statement came just days after Cambodian garment workers gathered to express their concerns over stagnated wages, forced overtime and low standards of living.
The decree, signed by Hun Sen on May 24, sets a June 4, 2017, date for the polls, which will come a year ahead of the next general election, due in 2018.
Amid increasing political tensions, the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has called for a resumption of dialogue with the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
Sam An, who holds American citizenship, was arrested in Siem Reap province on April 9 after he returned from the United States.
General Tea Banh, the minister of defense, accused civil society groups in a speech on Thursday of trying to topple the government of the Cambodian People’s Party, led by long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The CPP has demanded $100,000 in damages from Ou Virak, a sum he said he could not and would not pay.
On Monday, some 200 people from civil society groups and land activist networks began a campaign labeled Black Monday.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan compared the protesters’ actions and black dress code to the Khmer Rouge regime.
The newly appointed foreign minister met with 29 embassy officials following his appointment as the replacement for retiring elder statesman Hor Namhong.
Sam Rainsy decided not to return to Cambodia from a tour of Asia last November after an arrest warrant was issued over a defamation case brought by the former foreign minister, Hor Namhong.
Each defendant could face between five and 10 years behind bars if found guilty.
The rights workers were alleged to have paid about $200 to Khom Chandaraty when they met with her following the announcement of the alleged affair with CNRP Kem Sokha.
The Armenian Genocide took place between 1915 and 1923, when about 1.5 million people are believed to have died at the hands of the Ottoman government in what is now Turkey.
A document entitled “Phnom Penh Vision 2050,” seen by VOA Khmer, sets out how her company, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) works on projects.
ព័ត៌មានផ្សេងទៀត
