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Khmer Time/Taing Vida
Wednesday, 09 November 2016
Cambodian-American opposition member Meach Sovannara, sentenced to prison after a violent clash at Freedom Park in early 2014, has been given the chance to vote in the US presidential election, according to his assistant Chhim Kim Try.
Mr. Kim Try said a staff member from the US embassy took the ballot to Mr. Sovannara in Prey Sar prison on Saturday because he holds dual citizenship and is eligible to vote.
In July 2015, Mr. Sovannara was convicted of leading a so-called insurrection and sentenced to 20 years in jail, while 14 other opposition activists were handed sentences ranging from seven to 20 years for taking part in the protest.
Mr. Kim Try said US legislation does not allow prisoners to vote, but since Mr. Sovannara was eligible to vote it meant he was not guilty in the eyes of the United States.
“Mr. Meach Sovannara was considered by the US State Department and national and international human rights organizations as a political prisoner of conscience struggling for freedom of expression for the opposition and he was imprisoned in Cambodia because of political reasons,” he said.
However, Mr. Kim Try did not know whether Mr. Sovannara had voted or returned his ballot to the US embassy.
US embassy spokesman Jay Raman refused to comment on the grounds of voter privacy. He said that providing accurate voting information to US citizens overseas was one of the most important responsibilities of any US embassy or consulate, adding that the US embassy does not determine who can or cannot vote.
“Each US state makes its own determination of voter eligibility based on the laws of that state. It is up to each voter to register and to ensure that he or she meets those eligibility requirements,” he said by email.
More than 10 opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Members of Parliament and senior officials, including Mu Sochua, Tep Sothy, Ngor Kimcheang, Nut Rumduol, Nhay Chamroeun, Pin Ratana, Keo Sambath, Ou Chanrith and Ou Chanroth, hold US citizenship and have the right to vote for the 45th US president.
Senior CNRP member Ms. Sochua, who said she had already cast her vote for Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, said the United States clearly understands the political and human rights situation in Cambodia and added that she believes Mr. Sovannara’s case was completely politically motivated.
“Although Mr. Meach Sovannara was detained, he is not a prisoner yet because the appeal against the court verdict has not been resolved,” she said. “I believe that the US has given full rights to Cambodian-American citizens in the election process this time.”
Cambodian People’s Party spokesman Sok Eysan said he did not believe Mr. Sovannara had the right to participate in the US election because he was imprisoned and convicted of a crime under Cambodian law.
“Mr. Sovannara has already lost his citizen rights, so how can he join the vote? He was jailed in Cambodia, so how can he vote while he is in jail?” he asked.
Clik here to view.
Khmer Time/Taing Vida
Wednesday, 09 November 2016
Cambodian-American opposition member Meach Sovannara, sentenced to prison after a violent clash at Freedom Park in early 2014, has been given the chance to vote in the US presidential election, according to his assistant Chhim Kim Try.
Mr. Kim Try said a staff member from the US embassy took the ballot to Mr. Sovannara in Prey Sar prison on Saturday because he holds dual citizenship and is eligible to vote.
In July 2015, Mr. Sovannara was convicted of leading a so-called insurrection and sentenced to 20 years in jail, while 14 other opposition activists were handed sentences ranging from seven to 20 years for taking part in the protest.
Mr. Kim Try said US legislation does not allow prisoners to vote, but since Mr. Sovannara was eligible to vote it meant he was not guilty in the eyes of the United States.
“Mr. Meach Sovannara was considered by the US State Department and national and international human rights organizations as a political prisoner of conscience struggling for freedom of expression for the opposition and he was imprisoned in Cambodia because of political reasons,” he said.
However, Mr. Kim Try did not know whether Mr. Sovannara had voted or returned his ballot to the US embassy.
US embassy spokesman Jay Raman refused to comment on the grounds of voter privacy. He said that providing accurate voting information to US citizens overseas was one of the most important responsibilities of any US embassy or consulate, adding that the US embassy does not determine who can or cannot vote.
“Each US state makes its own determination of voter eligibility based on the laws of that state. It is up to each voter to register and to ensure that he or she meets those eligibility requirements,” he said by email.
More than 10 opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Members of Parliament and senior officials, including Mu Sochua, Tep Sothy, Ngor Kimcheang, Nut Rumduol, Nhay Chamroeun, Pin Ratana, Keo Sambath, Ou Chanrith and Ou Chanroth, hold US citizenship and have the right to vote for the 45th US president.
Senior CNRP member Ms. Sochua, who said she had already cast her vote for Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, said the United States clearly understands the political and human rights situation in Cambodia and added that she believes Mr. Sovannara’s case was completely politically motivated.
“Although Mr. Meach Sovannara was detained, he is not a prisoner yet because the appeal against the court verdict has not been resolved,” she said. “I believe that the US has given full rights to Cambodian-American citizens in the election process this time.”
Cambodian People’s Party spokesman Sok Eysan said he did not believe Mr. Sovannara had the right to participate in the US election because he was imprisoned and convicted of a crime under Cambodian law.
“Mr. Sovannara has already lost his citizen rights, so how can he join the vote? He was jailed in Cambodia, so how can he vote while he is in jail?” he asked.
