Opposition leader declares new demonstration

 

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) – The opposition leader Sam Rainsy on Thursday announced to hold demonstration again to demand the release of 23 detained protesters who have been arrested in violent clashes earlier this year. 

Sam Rainsy renewed the opposition protest plan while he as well as Kem Sokha led supporters and factory workers at Naga Bridge near Freedom Park where the authorities set up barricades and razor-wire around to prevent the opposition from celebrating the 128th International Labor Day at the site. 

However, no specific date of the new demonstration was set by Sam Rainsy. 

The opposition leaders came to meet with the supporters and workers at the Naga Bridge after they paid tribute to and held chanting ceremony for workers who died from deadly crackdowns by the government forces on Veng Sreng Street on January 3. 

At the ceremony, the Cambodia National Rescue Party leaders announced their stance to demand wage increase to US$160 for workers and arrest of gunmen who killed workers in the clashes. 

At the same day, civil society and human rights activists, unionists and workers gathered south of Wat Phnom to mark International Labor Day (May 1), while hundreds of police forces were deployed. 

 Factory workers also rallied in front of the National Assembly to demand better working condition.