Meas Sokchea

Cambodia National Rescue Party president Sam Rainsy yesterday said that, contrary to his speech before the National Assembly last week, the Kingdom’s political crisis would not be resolved as long as opposition activists were still being harassed by the courts.

If there are still CNRP members who are in jail, Rainsy told reporters in Daun Penh district yesterday, “and there are [members] being followed to provoke them, it means that the political crisis has not ended”.

Rainsy maintained that he would ensure that the ruling Cambodian People’s Party respected the spirit of the agreement under which the opposition finally entered parliament, but didn’t elaborate.

The comments come as three party activists sit in jail on charges over a violent protest last month, and days after two more activists and a party official were issued summonses related to the same protest.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said yesterday that the actions were “the order of the court”, but political analyst Kem Ley called them part of a strategy to defend the CPP’s “interests” and to weaken the CNRP’s attempts at reform.

 

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/jailings-are-threat-deal-rainsy

 

 

 

Protesters again fill streets

Fri, 15 August 2014

Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Pech Sotheary and Mom Kunthear

Any hopes the ruling party might have entertained that a political deal with the opposition signed almost a month ago would help to defuse societal tensions would have faded yesterday, with three separate protests taking place across the city.

Rights groups say demonstrations have been on the rise in recent weeks, while Phnom Penh deputy police chief Chuon Narin described the current protest situation as “very messy”, though he said authorities were largely refraining from cracking down.

More than 200 Kampong Speu villagers rallied outside ANZ Royal bank offices yesterday, demanding compensation for alleged land grabbing perpetuated by sugar tycoon Ly Yong Phat, who financed his agro-concessions with loans from the bank.

Village representatives said the bank reiterated its position that affected families would have to deal with Yong Phat’s Phnom Penh Sugar directly, because its dealings with the firm had concluded.

Efforts by a few hundred workers from Xin Chang Xin garment factory in Russey Keo district to claim money they say is owed to them were similarly unsuccessful after a march to the Ministry of Labour.

“We will burn tyres in front of the factory tomorrow and then walk to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house to ask him for help, because we have lost hope in the Labour Ministry,” said Neak Norm, vice president of the Workers Union Federation.

A group of Boueng Kak lake evictees also took to the streets yesterday, protesting outside the National Assembly to ask for further restitution from City Hall and private developer Shukaku Inc.

Yesterday’s demonstrations follow a raft of others in recent weeks by groups including Kampuchea Krom nationalists, families affected by an Asian Development Bank-funded railway rehabilitation project, youth groups and factory workers.

Provincial communities embroiled in land disputes have also marched to the city, such as villagers from Lor Peang commune in Kampong Chhnang and Snuol district in Kratie.

After being blocked several times by authorities on their way to Phnom Penh, including being physically attacked and having three of their group arrested, 70 Lor Peang villagers involved in a dispute with KDC International are now staying with Boeung Kak lake community members.

A villager from Kampong Speu is escorted from an ANZ bank branch during a protest in Phnom Penh yesterday where villagers demanded compensation. Pha Lina

Visiting them yesterday, opposition leader Sam Rainsy decried the actions of KDC – owned by Chea Keng, the wife of Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Suy Sem – as “cowardly, cruel and vulgar”.

Neither Keng nor Sem could be reached yesterday.

Nay Vanda, deputy head of human rights at watchdog Adhoc, said it was clear that the end of political deadlock would not end protests.

“It will not stop; it will only increase more and more.”

 

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/protesters-again-fill-streets