Cambodia in brief: February 14, 2017

© Hong Menea CPP moves on Party Law change A draft copy of the CPP's proposed changes to the law on political parties, released yesterday, gives the Interior Ministry and Supreme Court broad powers to move to disband political parties. The changes, called for by Hun Sen, are widely seen as aimed at his political rivals, the Cambodia National Rescue Party. Though Sam Rainsy resigned as president on Saturday to avoid having his convictions used against the party under the proposed law, the draft contains a number of provisions that could be used to disband the CNRP, including vague referrences to "incitement" and "national security". READ MORE PM files lawsuit against analyst Prime Minister Hun Sen filed a lawsuit against political analyst Kim Sok yesterday, demanding half a million dollars of compensation. He also threatened alleged "colour revolutionaries" that they should "prepare the coffin". The lawsuit follows a statement made by Kim Sok on Saturday about the murder of analyst Kem Ley. READ MORE  Girl,12, allegedly raped by co-worker at brick factory A man has confessed to raping and strangling a young girl. Both suspect and survivor worked at a brick factory in Kampong Thom. In the wake of recent research showing widespread child labour in brick kilns across Cambodia, rights groups have once again stressed the need to end the harmful practice which can place children at risk of sexual abuse. READ MORE  First salt export deal crystallises A local firm has scored the first-ever export deal for local salt, set to deliver 20 tonnes to France. READ MORE Truce to prevent mobile price war All but one of the six local mobile network operators have agreed to end their massive promotional offers. READ MORE More women needed in the political process Take a guess at the proportion of women represented in political parties around the world. Most of us would underestimate the true figure: somewhere between 40 percent and 50 percent of party members globally are women. But that hides another more telling fact. READ MORE  Olympic committee ready to roll out strategic plan for sport The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia is laying out a strategic plan, targeting gold medals at this August’s SEA Games in Malaysia, retention of taekwondo sensation Sorn Seavmey’s first Asian Games gold medal in Jakarta next year and a minimum of three Olympic qualification slots in combat sports for the 2020 Tokyo Games. READ MORE  Most popular story from yesterday © Heng Chivoan Rainsy exits ‘for good of party’ Reshaping Cambodia’s political landscape ahead of looming elections, opposition leader Sam Rainsy on Saturday resigned as president and left the Cambodia National Rescue Party, explaining yesterday that his decision was to “protect the party” from dissolution. READ MORE