PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The European Union and rights groups say the Cambodian government’s move to dissolve the main opposition party would be a serious blow to democracy and undermine the credibility of elections next year. Human Rights Watch along with other rights groups and the European Union are calling on the government to drop the court case. “Governments that still insist Cambodia is democratically ruled should act to reverse this development, or share the blame for democracy’s demise under Hun Sen’s autocratic rule,” Human Rights Watch said. An EU statement said the situation is “very worrying” and urged the government to reconsider the legal steps. If the Supreme Court finds the opposition party guilty of violating the Political Party Law, not only would it be dissolved, but its leaders would be banned from involvement in politics for five years.

Source: Washington Post October 10, 2017 07:04 UTC