Cambodia allows opposition to protest on Sunday

[geovalin]

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Ministry of Interior on Friday allowed the opposition party to hold a mass rally at the capital's Freedom Park on Sunday, but prohibited protesters from marching.

"The Ministry of Interior allows the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to hold a one-day nonviolent demonstration at the Freedom Park on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013 with the participants below 10,000, the maximum capacity of the Park," said a statement signed by Interior Minister Sar Kheng.

The statement said marching would be banned because the party had no enough ability to control protesters.

"Therefore, marching will not be allowed in order to ensure security and public order," it said.

The statement came after the CNRP requested earlier this week to conduct mass protest every Sunday from Dec. 15 onwards to protest against the July general election that handed victory to Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party. So far, all the CNRP's 55 lawmakers-elect have boycotted the National Assembly.

CNRP's lawmaker-elect Ho Vann said Thursday that Sunday's mass protest would be attended by at least 20,000 people.

"We will march peacefully in the city regardless of the ban from the Ministry of Interior," he said.

The CNRP has held mass demonstrations since July's disputed election. One of the protests in mid-September turned violent as protesters threw stones at police and the police retaliated with tear gas, smoke bombs, and water cannon. As a result, a protester was shot dead and several got wounded.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-12/13/c_132966384.htm