Boycott Plagues New Cambodia Government

"The National Assembly began its new term Monday "

Very few people have run a country for as long as Hun Sen.

But large cracks are now starting to show in his 28-year reign.

In elections in July, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, or CNRP, grabbed a huge chunk of seats from Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party.

But instead of taking to those seats, the CNRP is boycotting the parliament, says its leader Sam Rainsy.

“It will be totally useless because once we have joined, we will be powerless because the CPP would control both the government and the National Assembly. The assembly will be just a rubber-stamp parliament. Why would we join such a parliament? I think our leverage is strongest now outside the parliament.”

READ MORE: Cambodia's Opposition Leader Campaigns from Exile

Accusations of election fraud have caused more than just the boycott. 

Violent protests have left one man dead and roads blocked for days.

The night before the National Assembly opened session this week, police beat peaceful protesters and journalists at a popular park.

31-year-old Sor Veasna was hospitalized after being knocked unconscious. His knees were still orange with blood two days later.

“I also ran but they use an electric tool on me so I couldn’t run, so I fall down. When I fall down, maybe 15 of them used many things to hit at my back until I passed out. When I passed out I didn’t know anything, I thought in my mind I will die on that night.”

Pep Vanny is one of the protest organisers.

“There were also many more police officers and civil groups with tasers and guns as well as rubber bullets, and a girl kept chasing after me and shouted, ‘Get her! Get her!’”

The Cambodian People’s Party, or CPP, is now trying to start the new term and continue with business as usual.

But the opposition is urging foreign nations to help make sure that doesn't happen.

“We call on the international community, the governments of friendly countries, and legitimate international companies to stop engaging with the current government of Cambodia because this government is illegitimate. And we will conduct a worldwide campaign to delegitimze this government, which is the result of a constitutional coup and which does not represent the Cambodian people.”

But some criticized this announcement, saying the CNRP must develop a real political strategy.

Chak Sopheap is the director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.

“I look at it as a childish approach because to me it seems impossible, it’s not realistic. How can you ask the foreign investors to remove their investments or government contracts from this country? I don’t believe these foreign investors would do so.”

Still many agree with the CNRP that the CPP violated the constitution by opening Parliament without all parties present.

A group of monks, led by But Buntenh, organized a reading of the constitution to remind Cambodians of their right to take action.

“If I say I’m not afraid, it’s not true, I’m afraid. But I can come because to me, I want to serve my country. I play the role as the citizen and I know I have full rights protected by law in the constitution.”

The CNRP now has two options: go back on their word by joining the National Assembly to start legislating.

Or stay in the streets and apply pressure.

Analyst Lao Mong Hay supports the latter option.

“The opposition could maintain the people’s support. And if there’s no change of policy, no change in attitude toward the people on the part of the ruling party, the opposition would win the next election.”

The elections and the fallout this year have been less bloody than in 2008, when dozens of people died.

And the Cambodians, who remember the genocide of the Khmer Rouge, are certainly tired of violence.

But more citizens seem willing to stand up to the Hun Sen government than ever, says Chak Sopheap, the human rights leader.

“It’s contributed by the social media, like how people participate, how people share information. And these authorities, they know that we are watching them.”

At the moment, Cambodians may not have a functioning government, but they do have a voice.

• Cambodia
• election
• National Assembly
• Cambodia National Rescue Party
• Lien Hoang