On 20 February 2017, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) enacted amendments to the Political Party Law which empower the Ministry of Interior and Supreme Court to suspend political parties, or ultimately dissolve parties upon determination of violation.
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) supports the call of the Cambodian civil society organizations (CSOs) to respect political party freedoms and the people’s will. ANFREL entreats the Cambodian Parliament to review the Amendments, repeal existing laws which negatively affect the political development of the country, and reconsider passing further laws that will hamper the freedoms of election stakeholders. Restricting political party and candidate participation by imposing ambiguous and unfair laws not only goes against the established principles of democratic elections, but also the fundamental freedoms of association and expression.

Read full ANFREL Statement on the Cambodia Political Party Law Amendments