Human Rights Party (Cambodia)

The Human Rights Party or (Kanakpak Sethi Manus) is a Cambodian political party founded on 22 July 2007 led by Kem Sokha.[1] Critics allege that its foundation is meant to weaken opposition parties and is driven by the ruling party. This sentiment, however, seems to be driven by the ruling party themselves as Kem Sokha has long been a very vocal critic of the ruling CPP party. At the time of its foundation, the party claimed to have between 200,000 and 500,000 members nationwide.[1]

Human Rights Party គណបក្សសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស Kanakpak Sethi Manus
Founder	Kem Sokha
Founded	22 July 2007
Merged into	Cambodia National Rescue Party
Membership (2007)	200,000–500,000[1]
Ideology	Grassroots democracy[2] Liberal democracy[2] Populism
Politics of Cambodia Political parties Elections

Human Rights Party is the first party in Cambodia to adopt the check and balance system, changing the culture of one-man-ruling parties, which most parties in Cambodia adopt. It is also the first party in Cambodia to have its major leaders elected in its convention. Its popularity has been dramatically increasing in Cambodia, especially in the countryside.

In the July 2008 parliamentary elections, the ruling party won a landslide majority and the Human Rights Party took third place.

In 2012, it merged with the Sam Rainsy Party to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party.