[JURIST] A spokesperson from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [official website] expressed concern [statement] on Tuesday regarding the intimidation of opposition politicians and peaceful protesters in Cambodia. The comments were spurred by a recent show of force by the armed forces at the headquarters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) [party website, in Khmer], the country’s main opposition party. The statement also referenced mobilized troops and roadblocks used to block a peaceful CNRP event earlier this week. The spokesperson urged the government to create a pre-electoral atmosphere “conducive to the enjoyment of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.”

The lack of transparency in the Cambodian legislature and contention between political parties have caused international concern. Last month the prime minister of Cambodia filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] alleging defamation against an opposition leader and opposition party leader. In June the Cambodian parliament voted [JURIST report] to allow the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to open an investigation into opposition leader Kem Sohka regarding his alleged involvement with a prostitute. Last November the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Rhona Smith, warned [JURIST report] that the increasing polarization of the political parties in Cambodia is reaching a breaking point. Also in November Cambodia opposition leader Rainsy was removed [JURIST report] as a member of the country’s National Assembly. That month a Cambodian court indicted [JURIST report] three men in the beating of two opposition lawmakers. In October the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed [JURIST report] concern over the “organized attack” on opposition politicians in Cambodia.