A collection of local human rights and election-monitoring NGOs issued a statement Wednesday adding to the criticism of the National Assembly's vote on Monday to lift the parliamentary immunity of Sam Rainsy Party lawmakers Mu Sochua and Ho Vann. 

The statement argued that the move would negatively affect the development of democracy in Cambodia and urged the assembly to "stop lifting [lawmakers'] immunity because of defamation cases or small offences".  Both Mu Sochua and Ho Vann face defamation lawsuits filed against them by senior government officials.