Hun Sen reverses decision on single citizenship

Kyodo News / Bangkok Post | 7 January 2016

Cambodian president of the National Assembly and honorary president of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), Heng Samrin (second left), his wife Sao Ty (left), Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (second right) and his wife Bun Rany (right) release doves during a CPP ceremony marking the 37th anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in Phnom Penh on Jan 7. (AFP photo)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday reversed his earlier decision on single citizenship for political party leaders, saying they could continue to hold multiple nationalities.

Speaking at a commemorative ceremony, Hun Sen said that after serious discussions among leaders of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, a decision had been reached that leaders of all political parties are entitled to retain two or more citizenships [but why single out NEC members?].

"All political parties' (leaders), whether with one or 10 citizenships, please come and do politics altogether," said the premier.

Hun Sen said the reversal is meant to provide more overseas Cambodians with more opportunities to participate in political elections in Cambodia.

Hun Sen last month said the CPP would initiate a legal requirement for single citizenship for leaders of all political parties.

The requirement was widely seen as being meant for Sam Rainsy, president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, who holds both French and Cambodian nationality and is currently in self-imposed exile.