Competing events set for holiday

[geovalin]

Pech Sotheary

Although their paths may cross, unions, the opposition and civil society groups will remain separate when they gather and march for International Human Rights Day on Wednesday, representatives said yesterday.

Events will be held in various locations across the capital, with multiple groups involved. Ek Sopheakdey, Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union (C.CAWDU) secretary-general, said more than 3,000 garment workers plan to gather at Freedom Park and walk to the National Assembly, even though City Hall has denied their request to march.

“We will still march,” he said, adding that they would not join with civil society groups because of concerns it would “affect the neutrality of the union”.

Two groups of NGO workers will gather at various locations, including outside the Council for Development of Cambodia, where opposition CNRP members will gather separately, lawmaker Mu Sochua said.

City Hall will convene its own event at Koh Pich, spokesman Long Dimanche said.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/competing-events-set-holiday