Opposition MPs boycott parliamentary debates on Cambodia-Lao-Vietnam Border Delimitation

26 MPs form the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and 3 MPs from the Human Rights Party (HRP) have on Tuesday boycotted the parliamentary debate of a draft bill of Cambodia-Lao-Vietnam Border Delimitation Convention because they said past border conventions and treaties with foreign countries are not transparent. The HRP has issued a statement saying that they boycotted the parliamentary session because many parts of Cambodian borders with Vietnam and Laos are still pretty much in dispute. The statement said the border dispute was evident by the fact that many villagers living along the borders had complained and protested against the encroachments or loss of their lands due to border demarcations between the three countries. Mr. Yim Sovan (pictured), spokesman for the SRP, said MPs from the SRP will attend the parliamentary session, but will neither participate in the debate nor vote to support the draft bill because it said past border treaties and conventions lack transparency. Mr. Cheam Yeap, a senior MP from the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said even though his party is very appreciative of Vietnam's help, his party will not allow an inch of Cambodian territory to be lost to Vietnam or other neighbouring countries. Source: FPMOnline