Cambodian National Rescue Party campaigns in Battambang

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Paul Carson

BATTAMBANG, CAMBODIA – the main opposition party, the Cambodian National Rescue Party, has been campaigning vigorously since party leader Sam Rainsy returned from a four-year self-imposed exile last Friday.

Cambodian National Rescue Party leader Sam Rainsy addressing supporters at a rally in Battambang.

Kem Sokha, Sam Rainsy and Mu Sochua

A section of the huge crowd gathered near Psar Nath to hear Sam Rainsy speak.

CNRP supporters listening to Sam Rainsy.

Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy

Young CNRP supporters on the roadside in provincial Battambang.

Young CNRP supporters who were part of the rally.

Mr Rainsy along with high-level party members Mr Kem Sokha and Ms Mu Sochua, have embarked on a rapid journey through many of Cambodia’s provincial centres before the election this Sunday.

On July 23, the convoy stopped in Battambang and drew a large crowd.

After Mr Rainsy spoke to the supporters massed outside Psar Nath, the convoy travelled through the countryside to spread its message of change for Cambodia.

Mr Rainsy left Cambodia in 2009 after being found guilty of charges brought against him by the Prime Minister, Mr Hun Sen. The charges, connected with the moving of border markers between Cambodia and Vietnam, are believed by many to be politically motivated.

Last July, the Human Rights Party led by Kem Sokha merged with the Sam Rainsy Party to form the Cambodian National Rescue Party.

Earlier this month, Mr Hun Sen petitioned for a royal pardon to be issued for Mr Rainsy so he could return to Cambodia and campaign for his party.

Because he was found guilty of criminal charges, Mr Rainsy was made ineligible to contest a seat in the election. Despite petitions to have Mr Rainsy’s name reinstated, he will not be permitted to run for his own party.

The ruling party, the Cambodian People’s Party, headed by Mr Hun Sen, is expected to win the polls on Sunday. The party has been in government since 1985.

Shadow Alley

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Paul Carson

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Multimedia Monk

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Paul Carson

Battambang, Cambodia – A Buddhist monk takes video of a rally in support of the Cambodian National Rescue Party ahead of the country’s national election this Sunday.

Tasty Treat

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Paul Carson

It’s good to be back.

“Evil” Angel

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Paul Carson

My youngest nephew’s plans for global domination are apparently going well.

My dad, however, suspects nothing.

A New Day

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Paul Carson

We’ve just endured about a week or so of almost constant rain here in “sunny” Sydney, so it was a lovely change to wake up and see blue sky and sun.

Reportage Censored

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Paul Carson

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – A small but supportive crowd braved cold and wet weather to attend the official opening of the Reportage Censored exhibition in Sydney’s Hyde Park today.

Sheltering from the rain in one of the exhibition’s containers, people heard from Reportage Director Stephen Dupont and Assistant Director Ms Anna Maria Antoinette D’Addario, The Global Mail’s Director of Photography Mike Bowers, photojournalist David Maurice Smith and NSW Labor Party MP Amanda Fazio.

Amanda Fazio, MP

Mike Bowers

Stephen Dupont

Anna Maria Antoinette D’Addario

David Maurice Smith

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The exhibition, housed in three shipping containers, was a response to the removal of dozens of photographs from a public projection display by Destination NSW who had deemed the images as “too distressing”.

(An excellent interview on VICE with Reportage’s Assistant Director Anna Maria Antoinette D’Addario explains the situation very well.)

Some of the images which were removed from display in the main exhebition included photographs by internationally renowned photojournalists James Nachtwey and Tim Page.

The exhibition runs until 7PM on Wednesday July 3.