Sam Rainsy, a former Cambodian opposition leader living in exile, has called for the international community to reject the upcoming election’s results due to “systematic manipulation and falsification” by the country’s authorities. Rainsy co-founded the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and stated that Cambodia has only had one fair election since 1975, which saw the defeat of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) led by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Rainsy accused the government of violently crushing protests regarding “large-scale irregularities” after every subsequent election. The CNRP received 44% of the votes in the 2013 legislative elections but reportedly lost due to anomalies in the electoral process. Rainsy warned international observers that there is nothing to monitor in Cambodia’s upcoming election in July as it will be a “farce” that distorts or even reverses the popular will. Human Rights Watch recently called for an end to the Cambodian government’s “violent rhetoric” and the release of detained political activists. Cambodia’s liberal Candlelight Party, a reformed Sam Rainsy Party including former CNRP members, has been the target of several attacks. Some opposition party members were assaulted, and others were convicted of politically motivated charges. HRW stated that Prime Minister Hun Sen is using every tool at his disposal to rid Cambodia of any political opposition before the July elections and urged foreign governments to send a clear public message that such actions undermine any real election.