Police Disrupt Memorial [Four garment workers shot dead 2 years ago]

[geovalin]

Khmer Times / May Titthara

Police and security guards outnumbered those who gathered yesterday morning on Veng Sreng Blvd to commemorate the second anniversary of a fatal clash between security personnel and striking garment workers – one in which four garment workers were shot dead, while another, a teenage boy, is still missing. About 300 police and security guards were present at the site where the garment workers were shot dead two years ago. They confiscated banners and prevented about 200 unionists, garment workers, monks, NGO staff and land-rights activists who gathered yesterday from forming a single group to commemorate the fatal clash.

“They don’t want a reminder of what they have done in the past,” said Theng Savoeun, a coordinator of the Coalition of Cambodian Farmers Community.

Mr. Savoeun had been detained in prison for five months after being charged with aggravated intentional violence and aggravated intentional damage during the strike for higher wages two years ago. “But we cannot forget. We still keep it in our minds,” he added.

read more: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/19411/police-disrupt-memorial/