LI President Welcomes Pardon for Exiled Opposition Leader - Hoofdinhoud
LI President Hans van Baalen MEP has extended his congratulations the leader of Cambodia’s National Opposition leader and CALD (LI Cooperating Organisation) Chairman, Sam Rainsy, on the Royal Pardon which has enabled him to return to Cambodia and lead his party in the elections.
President Van Baalen said: “Of course, accepting the Royal Pardon does not mean that Sam Rainsy was guilty of any wrong doing. Throughout his political life he has only been fighting for freedom, democracy and the rule of law in his country. He wants to serve the Cambodian people.
As an ALDE Member of the European Parliament, I have asked EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton to do whatever is possible to guarantee Sam Rainsy's security in Cambodia”.
Liberal International has persistently called for the politically motivated charges against Sam Rainsy to be dropped and recently international pressure has built up behind LI’s postition. In an interview, Sam Rainsy said: "It is a small victory for democracy that the leader of the opposition to be allowed to be in the country during election campaigning and on election day... much more remains to be done".