Opposition protest allowed under conditions

PHNO PENH, 11 September 2013 (The Cambodia Herald) -- Phnom Penh City Hall authorities have allowed the opposition, Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), to hold a peaceful mass protest at Freedom Park from September 15-17, but they forbade them to march or camp at the site.

The permission to hold the second protest was given during a meeting between Phnom Penh city authorities and CNRP officials.

"Authorities have allowed the CNRP to hold the protest in accordance with the law from six in the morning to six in the evening, but they are not allowed to camp out or stay there overnight," said Phnom Penh City Hall spokesman, Long Dimanche.

He said, authorities have allowed no more than 10,000 people to participate in the protest.

However, CNRP representatives that attended the meeting said that they will still uphold their decision to hold the protest and camp out at Freedom Park all day and all night for three days, and there will be at least 20,000 protestors present.

"The CNRP are able to hold peaceful protests without any violence as seen this past Sunday," said CNRP senior official, Ho Vann.

Long Dimanche said, authorities will seek correct procedures from the Ministry of Interior over the areas of disagreement with the CNRP.

The mass protest to be led by Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha from September 15-17 will include a soap box session allowing their supporters to voice their opinion, there will also be an art performance, concert and film.

The goal of the mass gathering is to demand the establishment of independent poll inquiry committee to probe into the alleged election irregularities.

The official results of the election announced this past Sunday by the NEC confirmed that the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 68 seats while the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy, won only 55 seats in the 123-seat National Assembly.