Freedom Park to Be Moved, Says Hun Sen

[geovalin]

Prime Minister Hun Sen will not allow Freedom Park to stay at its current location and says it will be moved to a new location along National Road 5 in Russey Keo district, drawing the dismay of civil society and others who use the park. Mr. Hun Sen said yesterday at a ceremony for the 18th Cambodian Disabled People’s Day that Freedom Park – a venue created for public gatherings to ensure freedom of expression and assembly – cannot be kept in the center of the capital anymore because it creates disorder at its current location.
 

“Samdech Krala Hoam [Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng] is requesting Mr. Pa Socheatvong, the city governor, to find a new place for Freedom Park which is possible along the National Road at Kilometer 6. We made a garden and a place for disabled people to perform as well,” he said. “So we make it at this location, and if no one likes the change, we can put it in front of the US embassy, because the US likes to support protests. This is our right as the authority.”
 

City Hall spokesman Met Meas Pheakdey told Khmer Times yesterday that the Phnom Penh municipality planned to write a letter to the government through the Interior Ministry to request the change and City Hall would organize the project if approved. He said the park would move to the new place near Kilometer 6 in front of a Sokimex warehouse, not far from the old location.

 

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