CCHR Press Release- CCHR calls for restraint amongst party supporters in the lead up to the national election

CCHR PRESS RELEASE – Phnom Penh, 11 July 2013

CCHR calls for restraint amongst party supporters in the lead up to the national election

Following the violent clash on 5 July 2013 between a group of opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (“CNRP”) supporters marching through the Chamkarmorn district of Phnom Penh and a group of Cambodian People’s Party (“CPP”) supporters who were attending a party in the area, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”) would like to call on supporters of all parties to exercise restraint during this tense election period. This recent clash occurred when CNRP campaigners were passing a house where a party, attended by CPP supporters, was taking place and both groups began to antagonize one another. The situation quickly escalated when both groups began throwing rocks and eventually several shots were fired from inside the house.

CCHR staff observed the investigation of the incident on 6 July 2013 and was also granted permission by the police to enter the house and to verify that no CNRP supporters had been dragged and detained inside. Based on footage from security cameras at the premises, which CCHR watched with police, it appears that partygoers were the first to provoke the CNRP supporters, although it is ultimately unclear who initiated the violence. The footage did confirm however that no CNRP supporters had been dragged inside the house during the clash. The owner of the house, a military police colonel who fired the gunshots, has since been charged by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court with illegal use of a weapon. Several CNRP supporters have also been charged with destroying property as a result of throwing rocks at the house.  

CCHR President Ou Virak comments:

“The clash that took place last Friday between CNRP and CPP supporters just goes to show that tensions are running high in the lead up to the election on 28 July. Thankfully there were no serious injuries resulting from last Friday’s incident however all political parties must ensure that their supporters refrain from hotheaded behavior that could descend into social disorder and violence. CCHR is grateful that the authorities did not obstruct our staff in observing the investigation and would like to congratulate the police for taking quick action on this case. In order for free and fair elections to take place, peace and freedom from intimidation are necessary. We do not want a return to the violence which compromised previous elections and could lead to serious violations of human rights.”   

For more information, please contact Ou Virak via telephone at +855 (0) 1240 4051 or e-mail at ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org or CCHR Consultant Orla Kelly via telephone at +855 (0) 6772 7025 or email at orla.kelly@cchrcambodia.org

Please find the press release attached in PDF format in both English and Khmer.

Kind regards,

CCHR