Groups call on government to prosecute Rainsy under 'les majeste' laws

• Published date: 23 February 2023
• Publication title: The Phnom Penh Post

Several youth groups and a spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) have issued separate statements condemning former opposition party leader Sam Rainsy and calling for his prosecution, claiming that he repeatedly insulted King Norodom Sihamoni.

The eight groups signing a joint petition against Rainsy are the Khmer Youth Empire; 100 Nights Youth Group; Environmental and Social Activists; Cambodian Informal Economy Youth Group; Young Researchers; Civil Society for Development; Youth Group for Peace and Development; and Khmer Kampuchea Krom Charity Association (KKKCA).

Their petition came in response to Rainsy's recent remarks on social media questioning the devotion of the King to his subjects.

"We are all young civil society groups that were in the past critical of the government for not contributing enough to the development of society. Now we cannot stand by and watch convict Sam Rainsy make serious insults to the royal power of King Norodom Sihamoni again and again," read the petition dated February 21.

The groups called on...