Cambodian riot police broke up a rally Sunday arresting an activist, an official said, in the latest move by authorities to quell protests against strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Sok Chhun Oeun, acting president of Independent Democratic Informal Economy Association (IDEA) were arrested they he organised for a prayer to demand the release of the association's president, Vorn Pov, arrested and jailed during the crackdown on 2/1/14.
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian riot police broke up a rally Sunday arresting an activist, an official said, in the latest move by authorities to quell protests against strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen.
About 50 security officers , armed with batons, dispersed a small group of around 10 people as they tried to hold prayers in the capital Phnom Penh for the release of people arrested during a recent bloody crackdown, Am Sam Ath, of local rights group LICADHO, told AFP.
The acting leader of a non-governmental organisation was dragged into a police car, he said, adding there "was no violence" as the prayer group did not resist.
Long Dimanche, a spokesman for the Phnom Penh city hall, confirmed police had dispersed the group because they had held a rally deemed to violate the law.
"They held a public rally without permission (from authorities) and disturb the order... This is a yellow card for those who do not respect the law," he told AFP.
He said the detained activist would be soon released.
Earlier this month police opened fire on striking garment factory employees demanding a minimum wage of $160 per month for their work in an industry which supplies brands including Gap, Nike and H&M, killing at least four civilians.
Police also arrested at least 23 people.
The government says the recent rallies were illegal and has indefinitely banned opposition demonstrations in the capital.
Hun Sen, who has ruled for nearly three decades, has faced accusations of excessive force against striking garment factory workers seeking higher wages as well as opposition demonstrators who allege vote-rigging in elections last July and call for Hun Sen to resign.
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has boycotted parliament since the July polls.
Hun Sen reiterated last week that he would not resign, and told the opposition party to wait for the next election in five years' time.
The 61-year-old premier, who has vowed to stay in power until he is 74, has faced mounting criticism over his human rights record.
- AFP/xq
1 comment:
If the government said, "No gathering of 10 or more people", you will comply. If you want to pray, go in a group of 9 or less.
You folks are testing the government's resolve in keeping law and order. The country is poor and has bad reputation. You need to work hard and keep order.
I understand life is hard in Cambodia, but wasn't it much harder before? And you survived.
Things are improving, and perhaps not improving fast enough to your liking. But who can make it better than Mr. Hun Sen? I take a look and really don't see any other better choice. Mr. Hun Sen is the smartest Khmer of all.
Look at Rainsy, he supported the wrong idea to demand $160 minimum wage. He would kill Cambodia's nascent light industry. There are several countries around Cambodia with minimum wage of $45-125 dollars. They will take jobs from Cambodia.
The correct solution is to lower the food price. Someone is jacking up the price to rip the poors off. Go after those greedy bastards.
-Drgunzet-
P.S. I am well versed in 40-50 subjects ranging from Advanced Physics, History, Economics, Military Science, Warfare.
I will let you folks know, under my eyes, Rainsy committed horrible mistakes and was exploited by Mr. Hun Sen.
The moment, Rainsy incited the garment worker to demand $160, Mr. Hun Sen nailed the garment protesters. Then he banned all protests, thus avoiding being labeled as suppressing the political opposition.
I looked at the videos. The garment workers were violent with firebombs, iron sticks. That's a huge mistake. You want to strike, you do it clean.
The people are still very poor, they don't have much reserve to strike for long. The force is not with the opposition. You go violent, you get wacked hard.
I think very hard and really do not see a way out. May I suggest to hunker down and obey Mr. Hun Sen.
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