Camboadia's highest court dissolves opposition part, HRW says death of democracy

The case was filed at the behest of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Hun Sen, a seasoned politician, has been the head of the nation for over three decades now.

Reacting to the verdict, Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW said, "Democracy died in Cambodia today and it’s hard to see it reviving so long as Hun Sen, in power for 32 years, remains as prime minister. This is a watershed moment, requiring a strong and concerted international response. It’s time for action, not words."

The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), main opposition party in Cambodia, was dissolved after the court found it guilty of trying to stage a “color revolution”.

The charges were first brought by the government, who failed to provide evidence of illegality in its court filings, HRW said.

The court dissolved the party and imposed political bans of five years on 118 of its members.

"Hun Sen’s actions to remove the main opposition party and its members is a naked power grab, canceling the votes of millions of Cambodians in previous elections and rendering next year’s national elections meaningless," Adams added.

The HRW has urged Cambodia's foreign partners to react quickly and stop aiding the nation.

The move will now render the 2018 national election a dead rubber as the incumbent government is unlikely to feel challenged by others.