Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen kicked off a three-week election campaign on Saturday, with his party poised to sweep the one-sided contest after the top challenger was barred from taking part.

Cambodians will vote on July 23 in an election widely seen as a sham after authorities denied registration to the Candlelight Party -- considered the only viable rival to Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party.

Hun Sen -- who has ruled&nbsp;Cambodia&nbsp;for 38 years -- told a sea of tens of thousands of supporters dressed in party T-shirts and hats that his government would build more roads and schools while boosting wages and economic growth.

He also vowed to eradicate "hostile circles seeking to incite national division, social chaos and political instability".

"If the Cambodian People's Party wins, the Cambodian people are the winners," he told the crowd.

Hun Sen -- one of the world's longest-serving leaders -- has hinted he will retire in the near future.

He has backed his eldest son Hun Manet, a four-star general, to succeed him.

At Saturday's rally, he handed the party's flag to Hun Manet, who led a convoy of scooters, cars and banner-festooned trucks carrying musical performers on a procession through Phnom Penh's streets.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cambodian-pm-quits-facebook-threatens-to-block-access-in-country-610676#:~:text=Prime%20Minister%20Hun%20Sen%20of,be%20suspended%20for%20six%20months.">Cambodian PM quits Facebook, threatens to block access in country</a>

Party supporter Yin Linda said she hoped Hun Manet, who was educated in Britain and the United States, would "bring new ideas from overseas to develop our country's prosperity".

But a tuk-tuk driver who didn't want to be named characterised the election as "meaningless" and said that opposition supporters were deeply unhappy with the state of Cambodian politics.

"The international community will not accept the results," the 50-year-old said.

Hun Sen's party won every seat in the 2018 national election after a court dissolved the opposition&nbsp;Cambodia&nbsp;National Rescue Party.

Human Rights Watch's Asia Division deputy director Phil Robertson dismissed the election campaign as "Hun Sen going through the motions... claiming that this is democracy in action".

"When in reality he's done everything possible to make sure he faces no real opposition whatsoever," Robertson added.

"It's a stab in the back to the people of&nbsp;Cambodia. They don't have a choice. It's more of the same."

<h2>Opposition suppressed&nbsp;</h2>

Cambodia's parliament last week approved laws to ban anyone who fails to vote in this year's poll from running for office in future elections -- a move that will affect Hun Sen's exiled rivals.

On the eve of the election campaign, Hun Sen, a prolific Facebook user, quit the platform ahead of its parent company Meta announcing it would remove one of his videos and was considering a recommendation to suspend his account.

The video, filmed in January, showed Hun Sen threatening his opponents with legal action or a beating if they accused his party of vote theft in July's polls.

The ruling on the video by Meta's Oversight Board said his speech contained "unequivocal statements of intent to commit violence" against opposition politicians.

Analysts say that China's political and financial support has emboldened Hun Sen's unprecedented crackdown on &nbsp;political activists, the media and civil society -- an assault spurred by major opposition gains in previous elections.

Rights groups accuse Hun Sen of using the legal system to crush any opposition, and scores of political opponents have been convicted during his time in power.

Opposition leader Kem Sokha was sentenced in March to 27 years in prison and placed under house arrest for treason over an alleged plot with foreigners to topple Hun Sen's government.

Another opposition figure, Sam Rainsy, has been living in exile in France since 2015 to avoid prison for convictions he says are politically motivated.

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Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen kicked off a three-week election campaign on Saturday, with his party poised to sweep the one-sided contest after the top challenger was barred from taking part.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen kicked off a three-week election campaign on Saturday, with his party poised to sweep the one-sided contest after the top challenger was barred from taking part. Cambodians will vote on July 23 in an election widely seen as a sham after authorities denied registration to the Candlelight Party -- considered the only viable rival to Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party. Hun Sen -- who has ruled Cambodia for 38 years -- told a sea of tens of thousands of supporters dressed in party T-shirts and hats that his government would build more roads and schools while boosting wages and economic growth. He also vowed to eradicate "hostile circles seeking to incite national division, social chaos and political instability". "If the Cambodian People's Party wins, the Cambodian people are the winners," he told the crowd. Hun Sen -- one of the world's longest-serving leaders -- has hinted he will retire in the near future. He has backed his eldest son Hun Manet, a four-star general, to succeed him. At Saturday's rally, he handed the party's flag to Hun Manet, who led a convoy of scooters, cars and banner-festooned trucks carrying musical performers on a procession through Phnom Penh's streets. Also read | Cambodian PM quits Facebook, threatens to block access in country Party supporter Yin Linda said she hoped Hun Manet, who was educated in Britain and the United States, would "bring new ideas from overseas to develop our country's prosperity". But a tuk-tuk driver who didn't want to be named characterised the election as "meaningless" and said that opposition supporters were deeply unhappy with the state of Cambodian politics. "The international community will not accept the results," the 50-year-old said. Hun Sen's party won every seat in the 2018 national election after a court dissolved the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. Human Rights Watch's Asia Division deputy director Phil Robertson dismissed the election campaign as "Hun Sen going through the motions... claiming that this is democracy in action". "When in reality he's done everything possible to make sure he faces no real opposition whatsoever," Robertson added. "It's a stab in the back to the people of Cambodia. They don't have a choice. It's more of the same." Opposition suppressed Cambodia's parliament last week approved laws to ban anyone who fails to vote in this year's poll from running for office in future elections -- a move that will affect Hun Sen's exiled rivals. On the eve of the election campaign, Hun Sen, a prolific Facebook user, quit the platform ahead of its parent company Meta announcing it would remove one of his videos and was considering a recommendation to suspend his account. The video, filmed in January, showed Hun Sen threatening his opponents with legal action or a beating if they accused his party of vote theft in July's polls. The ruling on the video by Meta's Oversight Board said his speech contained "unequivocal statements of intent to commit violence" against opposition politicians. Analysts say that China's political and financial support has emboldened Hun Sen's unprecedented crackdown on political activists, the media and civil society -- an assault spurred by major opposition gains in previous elections. Rights groups accuse Hun Sen of using the legal system to crush any opposition, and scores of political opponents have been convicted during his time in power. Opposition leader Kem Sokha was sentenced in March to 27 years in prison and placed under house arrest for treason over an alleged plot with foreigners to topple Hun Sen's government. Another opposition figure, Sam Rainsy, has been living in exile in France since 2015 to avoid prison for convictions he says are politically motivated. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Cambodian PM launches election campaign amid one-sided contest, main rival barred

Cambodia's prominent Opposition figure Kem Sokha has been sentenced to 27 years under house arrest for treason. He has also been indefinitely barred from running political office or voting in elections. He will not be allowed to meet anyone outside his family while under house arrest.

Cambodia Opposition leader Kem Sokha gets 27 years of house arrest

Cambodian opposition leader of the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Kem Sokha has been sentenced to 27 years in detention, on Friday (March 3). He was arrested in 2017 and found guilty after a three-year trial. The trial delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the time asked for by the government lawyers to find new evidence against the alleged crimes committed by the politician, reported Al Jazeera.&nbsp;The verdict comes ahead of Cambodia’s elections which will be held in July.&nbsp;

Kem Sokha was arrested nearly six years ago over accusations of conspiring with the US to overthrow the government of incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for at least four decades now.&nbsp;

“Kem Sokha...is sentenced to 27 years in detention&nbsp;on the charge of collusion with foreigners committed in Cambodia and other places,” said Judge Koy Sao. The judge at a municipal court in the capital city of Phnom Penh also barred the opposition figure from running for political office or voting in elections.

According to reports, Kem Sokha was arrested in September 2017 in a midnight raid on his home without a warrant. Two months after his arrest, in 2018, CNPR was disbanded while the allegations against the opposition figure have since been denied by him as well as Washington, which termed them “fabricated conspiracy theories”.&nbsp;

Following the verdict, the 69-year-old was taken to his home, where he will be placed under house arrest and only allowed to meet family members, as per media reports. His lawyer,&nbsp;Ang Udom, said his legal team would appeal the verdict

Speaking to the press outside the court, the US Ambassador to Cambodia W Patrick Murphy slammed the verdict and called it a “miscarriage of justice”.&nbsp;He added, “We call on authorities to allow all Cambodians to enjoy...universal human rights of peaceful assembly and free expression and to participate in building a truly democratic system.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Cambodian opposition leader of the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Kem Sokha has been sentenced to 27 years in detention, on Friday (March 3). He was arrested in 2017 and found guilty after a three-year trial.

Cambodian opposition leader of the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Kem Sokha has been sentenced to 27 years in detention, on Friday (March 3). He was arrested in 2017 and found guilty after a three-year trial. The trial delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the time asked for by the government lawyers to find new evidence against the alleged crimes committed by the politician, reported Al Jazeera. The verdict comes ahead of Cambodia’s elections which will be held in July. Kem Sokha was arrested nearly six years ago over accusations of conspiring with the US to overthrow the government of incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for at least four decades now. “Kem Sokha...is sentenced to 27 years in detention on the charge of collusion with foreigners committed in Cambodia and other places,” said Judge Koy Sao. The judge at a municipal court in the capital city of Phnom Penh also barred the opposition figure from running for political office or voting in elections. According to reports, Kem Sokha was arrested in September 2017 in a midnight raid on his home without a warrant. Two months after his arrest, in 2018, CNPR was disbanded while the allegations against the opposition figure have since been denied by him as well as Washington, which termed them “fabricated conspiracy theories”. Following the verdict, the 69-year-old was taken to his home, where he will be placed under house arrest and only allowed to meet family members, as per media reports. His lawyer, Ang Udom, said his legal team would appeal the verdict Speaking to the press outside the court, the US Ambassador to Cambodia W Patrick Murphy slammed the verdict and called it a “miscarriage of justice”. He added, “We call on authorities to allow all Cambodians to enjoy...universal human rights of peaceful assembly and free expression and to participate in building a truly democratic system.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha charged with treason, sentenced to 27 years in detention

Cambodian&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;figure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cambodian-opposition-leader-kem-sokha-could-be-brought-to-trial-as-judge-ends-investigation-262222">Kem Sokha</a>, freshly freed from house arrest, will&nbsp;still&nbsp;stand&nbsp;trial&nbsp;for&nbsp;treason, strongman premier Hun Sen said Monday.

Kem Sokha, 66, is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was dissolved ahead of widely criticised elections last year.

Arrested in 2017 and accused of plotting to overthrow Hun Sen's government, he was detained first in a remote prison and then under house arrest before his bail conditions were relaxed last week.

The court closed the investigation into his case on Friday but Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, clarified Monday he would&nbsp;still&nbsp;face&nbsp;trial.

"The charges (against Kem Sokha) will not be dropped," Hun Sen said amid swirling rumours the King would soon pardon him.

"They simply closed the investigation so the case can be sent to&nbsp;trial," he said, without confirming when it would start.

The case would take "a long time" to finish, he added, also offering a veiled threat to other&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;members not to "run into walls".

Kem Sokha is currently banned from leaving Cambodia or taking part in political activities.

After meetings with a number of foreign envoys to Cambodia, he posted Friday a message on Facebook calling for "national reconciliation".

Rights groups say Cambodia's legal system is completely controlled by Hun Sen's government.

Sokha's political partner Sam Rainsy, meanwhile, returned to France over the weekend after attempting a highly publicised comeback for Cambodia's November 9 independence day.

Rainsy has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated.

He promised a dramatic return to Cambodia but ended up waylaid in Malaysia and Indonesia with other CNRP officials.

Hun Sen last week ordered the release on bail of more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cambodian-prime-minister-orders-to-free-more-than-70-opposition-activists-on-bail-262041">70&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;members</a> and activists that authorities accused of helping Rainsy return.

The dissolution of the CNRP in 2017 paved the way for Hun Sen's ruling party to sweep a widely criticised election last year, turning Cambodia into a one-party state.

As a result, the European Union&nbsp;started a review of a duty-free tariff scheme for the country's lucrative garment sector.

Analysts say the possible removal of the deal is a rare political weak spot for Hun Sen

Cambodian opposition figure Kem Sokha, freshly freed from house arrest, will still stand trial for treason, strongman premier Hun Sen said Monday. Kem Sokha, 66, is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was dissolved ahead of widely criticised elections last year.

Cambodian opposition figure Kem Sokha, freshly freed from house arrest, will still stand trial for treason, strongman premier Hun Sen said Monday. Kem Sokha, 66, is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was dissolved ahead of widely criticised elections last year. Arrested in 2017 and accused of plotting to overthrow Hun Sen's government, he was detained first in a remote prison and then under house arrest before his bail conditions were relaxed last week. The court closed the investigation into his case on Friday but Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, clarified Monday he would still face trial. "The charges (against Kem Sokha) will not be dropped," Hun Sen said amid swirling rumours the King would soon pardon him. "They simply closed the investigation so the case can be sent to trial," he said, without confirming when it would start. The case would take "a long time" to finish, he added, also offering a veiled threat to other opposition members not to "run into walls". Kem Sokha is currently banned from leaving Cambodia or taking part in political activities. After meetings with a number of foreign envoys to Cambodia, he posted Friday a message on Facebook calling for "national reconciliation". Rights groups say Cambodia's legal system is completely controlled by Hun Sen's government. Sokha's political partner Sam Rainsy, meanwhile, returned to France over the weekend after attempting a highly publicised comeback for Cambodia's November 9 independence day. Rainsy has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated. He promised a dramatic return to Cambodia but ended up waylaid in Malaysia and Indonesia with other CNRP officials. Hun Sen last week ordered the release on bail of more than 70 opposition members and activists that authorities accused of helping Rainsy return. The dissolution of the CNRP in 2017 paved the way for Hun Sen's ruling party to sweep a widely criticised election last year, turning Cambodia into a one-party state. As a result, the European Union started a review of a duty-free tariff scheme for the country's lucrative garment sector. Analysts say the possible removal of the deal is a rare political weak spot for Hun Sen

Cambodian opposition leader still to face treason trial: PM

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the release on bail of more than 70 opposition activists arrested in recent weeks and accused of plotting to overthrow the government, he said on Thursday.

Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for more than 34 years, has been under increasing international pressure to improve his human rights record, with the European Union threatening the withdrawal of important trade benefits.

"There are over 70 people, please hurry up work on this case so that these brothers can be released on bail," Hun Sen said in a speech at a new cement factory in the southern province of Kampot, in comments directed at judicial authorities.

Cambodia arrested dozens of people in the run-up to last Saturday when veteran opposition figure Sam Rainsy had said he would return from self-imposed exile to rally opposition to authoritarian ruler Hun Sen.

But Sam Rainsy did not return to Cambodia, saying he had been stopped in Paris from boarding a flight to neighbouring Thailand. He instead flew to Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia on Thursday.

On Saturday, Cambodia also relaxed the house arrest conditions on opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested on treason charges more than two years ago. He says the charges are ridiculous and has called for them to be dropped.

Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy co-founded the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was banned in 2017. By then, Sam Rainsy had flown into self-exile in France after a defamation conviction and other charges he says are political.

On Tuesday, the European Union voiced concern at human rights in Cambodia as it gave a one-month deadline to authorities to respond to a report on its investigation before deciding whether to suspend trade benefits.

Hun Sen said that in addition to ordering the release of the opposition activists, he had ordered the Justice Ministry to withdraw arrest warrants for other opposition activists who had fled to Thailand or were in hiding in Cambodia.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the release on bail of more than 70 opposition activists arrested in recent weeks and accused of plotting to overthrow the government, he said on Thursday.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the release on bail of more than 70 opposition activists arrested in recent weeks and accused of plotting to overthrow the government, he said on Thursday. Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for more than 34 years, has been under increasing international pressure to improve his human rights record, with the European Union threatening the withdrawal of important trade benefits. "There are over 70 people, please hurry up work on this case so that these brothers can be released on bail," Hun Sen said in a speech at a new cement factory in the southern province of Kampot, in comments directed at judicial authorities. Cambodia arrested dozens of people in the run-up to last Saturday when veteran opposition figure Sam Rainsy had said he would return from self-imposed exile to rally opposition to authoritarian ruler Hun Sen. But Sam Rainsy did not return to Cambodia, saying he had been stopped in Paris from boarding a flight to neighbouring Thailand. He instead flew to Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia on Thursday. On Saturday, Cambodia also relaxed the house arrest conditions on opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested on treason charges more than two years ago. He says the charges are ridiculous and has called for them to be dropped. Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy co-founded the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was banned in 2017. By then, Sam Rainsy had flown into self-exile in France after a defamation conviction and other charges he says are political. On Tuesday, the European Union voiced concern at human rights in Cambodia as it gave a one-month deadline to authorities to respond to a report on its investigation before deciding whether to suspend trade benefits. Hun Sen said that in addition to ordering the release of the opposition activists, he had ordered the Justice Ministry to withdraw arrest warrants for other opposition activists who had fled to Thailand or were in hiding in Cambodia.

Cambodian Prime Minister orders to free more than 70 opposition activists on bail

Cambodia has freed a prominent opposition figure from house arrest more than two years after he was charged with treason, a court spokesperson told AFP on Sunday, after attempts by his colleagues to return to the country were thwarted.

Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017 and accused of plotting to overthrow the government of strongman Hun Sen, who has ruled since 1985.

He was sent to a remote prison, then confined to his house and the surrounding block and prohibited from talking to the media.

But "he can travel nationwide now", Y Rin, a Phnom Penh municipal court spokesman, told AFP.

Sokha is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved ahead of elections swept by Hun Sen last year.

The new court ruling, which cited health concerns, forbids the 66-year-old from leaving Cambodia or joining political activities.

Pheng Heng, a lawyer for Kem Sokha, confirmed that some restrictions were lifted but said the ban on politics was too broadly worded and unclear.

Rights groups say Cambodia's legal system is controlled by Hun Sen's government.

The decision comes as Sokha's political partner Sam Rainsy is waylaid in Malaysia with other CNRP officials after attempting a highly-publicised comeback on November 9, Cambodia's independence day.

Rainsy, who has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated, had promised a dramatic return.

But after being barred in Paris on Thursday from getting on a flight to Thailand, Rainsy boarded a plane a day later and arrived in Kuala Lumpur.

It is unclear how he will get back to the country and for now he plans to meet with Malaysian MPs this week.

He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sokha.

Dozens of activists have been rounded up in recent weeks in Cambodia, while Hun Sen has called on fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to arrest Rainsy in what the strongman has described as an attempted coup.

But Hun Sen is also under international pressure to ease restrictions on dissent as the European Union considers revoking a duty-free tariff scheme for Cambodia's lucrative garment sector.

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights board member and former Philippines MP Teddy Baguilat called the court ruling misleading and an attempt to ward off sanction.

"This is just another cynical move by Hun Sen to try and hoodwink the international community", he said.

Cambodia has freed a prominent opposition figure from house arrest more than two years after he was charged with treason, a court spokesperson told AFP on Sunday, after attempts by his colleagues to return to the country were thwarted.

Cambodia has freed a prominent opposition figure from house arrest more than two years after he was charged with treason, a court spokesperson told AFP on Sunday, after attempts by his colleagues to return to the country were thwarted. Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017 and accused of plotting to overthrow the government of strongman Hun Sen, who has ruled since 1985. He was sent to a remote prison, then confined to his house and the surrounding block and prohibited from talking to the media. But "he can travel nationwide now", Y Rin, a Phnom Penh municipal court spokesman, told AFP. Sokha is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved ahead of elections swept by Hun Sen last year. The new court ruling, which cited health concerns, forbids the 66-year-old from leaving Cambodia or joining political activities. Pheng Heng, a lawyer for Kem Sokha, confirmed that some restrictions were lifted but said the ban on politics was too broadly worded and unclear. Rights groups say Cambodia's legal system is controlled by Hun Sen's government. The decision comes as Sokha's political partner Sam Rainsy is waylaid in Malaysia with other CNRP officials after attempting a highly-publicised comeback on November 9, Cambodia's independence day. Rainsy, who has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated, had promised a dramatic return. But after being barred in Paris on Thursday from getting on a flight to Thailand, Rainsy boarded a plane a day later and arrived in Kuala Lumpur. It is unclear how he will get back to the country and for now he plans to meet with Malaysian MPs this week. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sokha. Dozens of activists have been rounded up in recent weeks in Cambodia, while Hun Sen has called on fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to arrest Rainsy in what the strongman has described as an attempted coup. But Hun Sen is also under international pressure to ease restrictions on dissent as the European Union considers revoking a duty-free tariff scheme for Cambodia's lucrative garment sector. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights board member and former Philippines MP Teddy Baguilat called the court ruling misleading and an attempt to ward off sanction. "This is just another cynical move by Hun Sen to try and hoodwink the international community", he said.

Cambodia lifts house arrest restrictions on opposition figure

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