Mr. Rong Chhun (middle) led a protest against Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear areas on 18th August 2008 which was cracked down by the police.By Khmerization
Mr. Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent teachers Association, recently said that he is not afraid critical views in order to promote justice, democracy and the well-being of the Cambodian people, reports Radio Free Asia.
He said: "I am not concerned about my personal safety because if we want a country to be prosperous, want the people to receive justice, want the teachers to receive favourable working conditions, so when we chose this path we knew that we will be faced with many obstacles. But we must be brave and be prepared to sacrifice in order to express our opinions for justice, and we think that what we have done are the correct actions for the common benefits of all people. So, we must not be afraid to fight, we must be brave."
Mr. Rong Chhun's statement came after students, teachers, workers and people have expressed their concerns for his safety because he had led many protests and strikes which have been cracked down by authorities.
However, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and government spokesman, said Mr. Rong Chhunn has nothing to fear because Cambodia is a democratic and human rights respecting country where hundreds of media publications and NGOs have sprung up in many years.
But Mr. Chan Soveth, investigator for local human right group Licadho, disagreed and said most of the media outlets are pro-government.
Many government critics and newspaper editors have been sued, copped a big fine and jailed by government recently for exposing government's shortcomings and corruption.
Ms. Carol Rodley, the U.S Ambassador to Cambodia, recently said that democracy and freedom should happen by itself and that people should not have to fight for it.
Mr. Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent teachers Association, recently said that he is not afraid critical views in order to promote justice, democracy and the well-being of the Cambodian people, reports Radio Free Asia.
He said: "I am not concerned about my personal safety because if we want a country to be prosperous, want the people to receive justice, want the teachers to receive favourable working conditions, so when we chose this path we knew that we will be faced with many obstacles. But we must be brave and be prepared to sacrifice in order to express our opinions for justice, and we think that what we have done are the correct actions for the common benefits of all people. So, we must not be afraid to fight, we must be brave."
Mr. Rong Chhun's statement came after students, teachers, workers and people have expressed their concerns for his safety because he had led many protests and strikes which have been cracked down by authorities.
However, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and government spokesman, said Mr. Rong Chhunn has nothing to fear because Cambodia is a democratic and human rights respecting country where hundreds of media publications and NGOs have sprung up in many years.
But Mr. Chan Soveth, investigator for local human right group Licadho, disagreed and said most of the media outlets are pro-government.
Many government critics and newspaper editors have been sued, copped a big fine and jailed by government recently for exposing government's shortcomings and corruption.
Ms. Carol Rodley, the U.S Ambassador to Cambodia, recently said that democracy and freedom should happen by itself and that people should not have to fight for it.
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