Home | News | Cambodia Hun Sen Warns Against Attempts to Hold Cambodia ‘Hostage’

Prominent union leaders join hands in unity during a gathering in Phnom Penh, Feb. 10, 2014.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday accused certain groups of trying to hold the nation “hostage," saying his government was functioning normally despite opposition calls for him to resign and hold fresh elections following disputed polls.

His administration has also drawn criticism over its heavy handed response to protests by Cambodia’s garment workers for wage increases, including a crackdown last month by security forces that left five people dead and resulted in nearly two dozen arrested.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony in the capital Phnom Penh, Hun Sen said that his government’s “fifth mandate was established by the [July 28] election” and that his administration was “carrying out work as usual” despite efforts by some groups—which he did not name—to hold the country “hostage.”

“We won’t allow anyone to take Cambodia as their hostage,” the head of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) said.

“People can say whatever they want, but today I am handing out [graduation] certificates to students. This is a normal process of state institutions, the National Assembly [or parliament], senate and the government.”

Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) deputy president Kem Sokha said Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for nearly three decades, was “concerned about his illegitimate government.”

“The illegal government is being pressured by the international community on its killings [of protesters] and attacks on the freedom of assembly,” he told RFA’s Khmer Service.

The CNRP claims it was robbed of victory in last year’s elections which it said were marred by fraud and other irregularities. The government-appointed election body declared Hun Sen's CPP the victor and dismissed calls for an independent investigation by the CNRP which has boycotted parliament.

Authorities in Phnom Penh issued a ban on public gatherings following a Jan. 3 deadly crackdown by security forces during a strike by garment workers demanding higher minimum wages.

The ban also followed authorities’ violent dispersal of CNRP supporters at the capital's Freedom Park after they demanded that Hun Sen step down and hold fresh elections.

Call for release

Also on Monday, nongovernmental organizations and activists launched a campaign in front of Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace to demand the release of those still held by authorities in the aftermath of the January crackdown, as a prison official said several of the detainees had gone on a hunger strike.

Prison authorities released two of the detainees last week, but 21—including rights defenders Vorn Pao, Theng Soveoun, and Chan Putisak—remain in Kompong Cham’s remote Correctional Center 3 (CC3), which rights groups have labeled “among the harshest prisons in Cambodia.”

A court in the capital is scheduled on Feb. 11 to hear an appeal by the 21 against an earlier decision to deny them bail. They had been charged with causing violence and damage to property.

Rong Chhun, the President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, said at Monday’s gathering that if the Appeals Court refuses to release them, at least 10 of the country’s biggest unions would lead protests against the government, despite the ban on gatherings.

“We all have agreed that if the 21 people are not released and the workers’ salaries are not raised we will hold massive demonstrations across the country,” he said.

Nearly 60 NGOs released balloons across the country in solidarity to call for the release of the detainees.

Government forces in Phnom Penh did not interfere with the gathering at the Royal Palace.

Ouk Savuth, chief prosecutor at the Appeals Court, told RFA that he could not predict how the judges would rule on Tuesday.

“The judges will decide when they meet,” he said. “I can’t guess [the outcome] as I am not a judge.”

Several of the remaining detainees have also launched a hunger strike to demand their release, Agence France-Presse reported Monday, quoting CC3 director Kea Sovanna.

Sixteen of the 21 people had begun to fast on Sunday and “now nine detainees still continue their hunger strike,” he said, adding that officials were trying to encourage them to eat.

The Phnom Penh Post quoted Prak Sovannary, wife of Vorn Pov, as saying that the hunger strike would continue until the courts release the prisoners.

“When I visited [Pov] on Friday, he told me [the detainees] were not wrong,” Sovannary said. “[Pov said] they did not use violence against anyone and demand their release.”

Open letter

In an open letter to Hun Sen, a dozen international human rights groups and labor rights organizations on Monday called for the release of the 21 and for the government to lift its ban on public gatherings.

The organizations joined the global unions International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), UNI Global Union and IndustriALL in urging the Cambodian government to end its “repression of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, expression, and association.”

The open letter urged that the authorities “immediately and unconditionally” drop all cases against those being investigated in connection with protests “solely on account of their exercise of basic human rights.”

“The Cambodian government’s detention of activists and ban on protests are generating intense public concern not just in Cambodia, but around the world,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Robertson called on governments concerned about the rights of the Cambodian people to “make their voices heard.”

Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.

Source: RFA

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Cambodian Authorities Violently Disperse Beehive Radio Protest

Mam Sonando addresses supporters in front of the Ministry of Information in Phnom Penh, Jan. 27, 2014.

Cambodian police on Monday used electric batons and smoke bombs to break up a protest in the capital by supporters of independent Beehive Radio angered over the government’s refusal to grant the station licenses to expand its broadcast range and establish a TV station.

The crackdown, which left at least seven people injured, came as nongovernmental groups urged the United Nations to censure Cambodia for a failing rights record ahead of a review by the world body on Tuesday.

On Monday, hundreds of supporters of Beehive Radio, led by station director and government critic Mam Sonando, marched through a number of police barricades on the streets of Phnom Penh in defiance of a ban on public gatherings, before congregating in front of the Ministry of Information.

The protesters had demanded the reversal of a ruling by the government last week preventing Beehive from boosting its signal strength and producing television programming, claiming no frequencies were available for the station to use.

Most of Cambodia’s existing stations are closely allied with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).

The protesters were met by hundreds of police officers and security guards led by Phnom Penh municipality military police chief Roth Sreng, who gave the crowd five minutes to clear the area before advancing with truncheons and shields, and firing smoke grenades, protesters told RFA’s Khmer Service.

During the melee, several protesters were struck in the face and left bleeding. One man was seen being repeatedly kicked and punched by military police until he was knocked to the ground unconscious, they said.

The Agence France-Presse news agency reported that journalists, including one of its photographers, were also attacked by security personnel.

Around 20 protesters formed a human shield around Mam Sonando during the clash, protecting him from harm until the crowd dispersed.

Rights groups transported the wounded to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Mam Sonando told RFA he was saddened that authorities had decided to respond to the nonviolent protest with such force.

“I led people from other provinces who wanted to express their view that Beehive Radio be allowed to increase its signal strength,” he said.

“I didn’t anticipate that there would be a violent crackdown. They fired smoke grenades at us … The government should be happy that the people want to listen to the radio [as a source of news].”

An injured protester said that the police advance was largely unexpected because the demonstration had occurred in an orderly fashion.

“I don’t know why they hit me,” he said. “They struck me several times and my skull is fractured.”

Local rights group Adhoc’s chief investigator Ny Chakriya said that he was distressed by the authorities’ decision to crack down on unarmed demonstrators.

“The demonstrators only held banners and flags.”

A medic treats a protester suffering from a facial wound, Jan. 27, 2014. Credit: RFA

 Action defended

The authorities, however, defended their action, with police chief Roth Sreng calling it “the officers’ duty.”

National Military Police spokesman Keng Tito said that the police were obligated to protect public order.

“City hall had already banned any march or gathering that would affect public order and security,” he said.

“[Protesters] can practice their freedom of expression by submitting petitions to the authorities.” 

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith could not be reached for comment.

Mam Sonando was convicted in October 2012 for alleged involvement in a secession plot, but last March, a court reversed the decision and released him from prison.

In June, the activist told RFA that his radio station risked closure following government restrictions and a refusal to allow the station to expand its broadcast range.

He said that the Ministry of Information was restricting overseas groups from buying airtime at the Phnom Penh-based Beehive and had turned down requests to set up relay stations to beam to the provinces.

Mam Sonando maintains that millions of listeners in the villages want to listen to his radio broadcasts and has expressed concern his station may be forced to close down due to funding problems.

Authorities have violently shut down several recent street protests, including a demonstration Sunday in support of garment workers demanding higher wages and the release of 23 people arrested during a crackdown on striking workers earlier this month, which left at least four people dead.

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), led by Sam Rainsy, has also held repeated protests in the capital since Hun Sen was declared the victor of the country’s July 28 national election, which it contends was rigged through voter fraud.

Rights review

Also on Monday, right groups called on the United Nations to condemn Cambodia for its flagging human rights record ahead of a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by the U.N.’s Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday.

“Hun Sen’s government violates human rights on a daily basis by violently preventing the opposition, trade unions, activists and others from gathering to demand political change,” said Juliette de Rivero, Geneva director at New York-based Human Rights Watch.

“Countries at the Human Rights Council should condemn this brutal crackdown and insist the Cambodian government engage in serious reforms.”

Human Rights Watch said that through the end of 2013, it found that “the human rights situation in the country had worsened significantly since its last [UPR] in 2009” and slammed Cambodia for reportedly planning not to send high-level representation to Tuesday’s review, “suggesting that it does not take the process seriously.”

“This shows Hun Sen’s contempt not just for the U.N. process, but for the rights of Cambodia’s people,” de Rivero said. “U.N. member countries should put the government on notice that it will not tolerate continued backsliding.”

A coalition of rights groups also slammed the government’s rights record Monday, saying it would urge the international community to address “the increasingly severe crackdown on free speech” at the U.N. meeting on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR).

The coalition, which also includes PEN International, ARTICLE 19 and the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, said the government ban on peaceful protests and use of excessive force “violate fundamental universal human rights and contravene the Cambodian constitution.”

“Following last year’s elections, it is clear that the Cambodian people are no longer willing to remain quiet. People in the tens of thousands are now risking their lives to speak out and demand the society they want,” said Thomas Hughes, executive director of ARTICLE 19.

“The government’s modus operandi of squashing dissent can no longer continue. It’s time to respect free speech and human rights. That’s the message that the international community must now stand behind.”

Ou Virak, president of the CCHR, said it is time for the Cambodian government to be confronted with its lack of progress with regards to human rights.

“During this UPR, the international community must address the systematic abuses of fundamental rights occurring throughout the country and the extensive system of impunity which has become characteristic of Cambodia,” he said.

“That being said, while the UPR will shed light on the [government’s] failures in relation to human rights, in order to ensure it becomes an effective review mechanism, the international community must follow up on its recommendations.”

Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.

Source: RFA

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Ten Wounded in Fresh Protest, Clash in Cambodian Capital

A security officer tries to detain a woman protester outside Freedom Park in Phnom Penh, Jan. 26, 2014

 

At least 10 people were injured in the Cambodian capital Sunday when security forces clashed with protesting activists, trade union leaders, and workers demanding higher wages and the release of 23 people arrested in a recent bloody government crackdown.

In a separate incident, Prime Minister Hun Sen's party supporters mobbed the headquarters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in Kampong Cham province east of the country, preventing CNRP members from attending a forum, according to opposition officials.  

The protest outside Freedom Park in Phnom Penh on Sunday was in defiance of a ban on demonstrations in the capital imposed about three weeks ago after a violent crackdown on a strike by garment workers demanding higher minimum wages and opposition rallies calling on Prime Minister Hun Sen to resign.

The clash occurred when security forces set up roadblocks and prevented the scores of protesters from entering Freedom Park, which had been the base for daily anti-government demonstrations by CNRP supporters until they were violently dispersed earlier this month.

Protesters threw rocks, shoes, water bottles, and sticks at the police and Phnom Penh Municipal Council security forces who retaliated by hitting them with batons and tasers, eyewitnesses said.

Local rights group Licadho said that at least 10 people from both sides were injured in the clash, the first  since the government shot dead four people during a Jan. 3 strike by garment workers demanding higher minimum wages.

During the clash Sunday, workers said they had confiscated slingshots with homemade metal balls that they claimed had been used to "shoot" at the protestors.

Mammoth rally shelved

Union representatives said plans to have a mammoth workers rally on Sunday had to be shelved due to the extraordinary security measures imposed in the capital.

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, said he was "sad" that the authorities used force to prevent workers from gathering to push their campaign for higher wages and call for the freedom of the 23 protesters who are being kept in a remote prison facility.

"Freedom in Cambodia has declined to zero," he said. "Freedom of assembly and speech are being restricted by the authorities."

Coalition of Cambodia Apparel Workers Democratic Union President Ath Thon called for a resumption of tripartite negotiations between unions, the government, and the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), which represents factory owners, to discuss prospects for increasing minimum wages.

The unions are demanding that wages be doubled to U.S. $160 a month. The government clampdown earlier this month had forced an end to strikes and the return to factories by thousands of protesting workers.

"We are hoping to have talks soon," Ath Thon said. "We must use this chance to resolve this issue so we won't have any more problems."

CNRP gathering disrupted

CPP supporters hold anti-CNRP protests in Kampong Cham province, Jan 26, 2013. (RFA Photo)

 

 

Meanwhile in Kampong Cham, ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) supporters, armed with sticks and protected by security forces, tried to disrupt a CNRP gathering, CNRP deputy president Kem Sokha said.

He accused Hun Sen of using his party's supporters to provoke clashes with CNRP supporters.

"This strategy is a threat against the constitution," Kem Sokha said.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan rejected the charges, saying the CPP supporters wanted to display their support for Prime minister Hun Sen.

"CPP members are adhering to their rights to protect their votes and support Hun Sen to be the prime minister," he said.

Hun Sen had recently urged his supporters to be prepared to counter CNRP protests calling for his resignation, saying the opposition action had "characteristics of a coup.”

The opposition had called on Hun Sen to resign and hold fresh elections after allegations of fraud and other irregularities in the July 2013 elections in which his CPP was declared victor by the government-appointed election body, which has dismissed calls for an independent probe into the polls.

Reported by RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Parameswaran Ponnudurai.

Source: RFA

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Home | News | Cambodia Ten Wounded in Fresh Protest, Clash in Cambodian Capital

A security officer tries to detain a woman protester outside Freedom Park in Phnom Penh, Jan. 26, 2014.

 

 

 

 

At least 10 people were injured in the Cambodian capital Sunday when security forces clashed with protesting activists, trade union leaders and workers demanding higher wages and the release of 23 people arrested in a recent bloody government crackdown.

In a separate incident, Prime Minister Hun Sen's party supporters mobbed the headquarters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in Kampong Cham province east of the country, preventing CNRP members from attending a forum, according to opposition officials.  

The protest outside Freedom Park in Phnom Penh on Sunday was in defiance of a ban on demonstrations in the capital imposed about three weeks ago after a violent crackdown on a strike by garment workers demanding higher minimum wages and opposition rallies calling on Prime Minister Hun Sen to resign.

The clash occurred when security forces set up roadblocks and prevented the scores of protesters from entering Freedom Park, which had been the base for daily anti-government demonstrations by CNRP supporters until they were violently dispersed earlier this month.

Protesters threw rocks, shoes, water bottles and sticks at the police and Phnom Penh Municipal Council security forces who retaliated by hitting them with batons and tasers, eyewitnesses said.

Local rights group Licadho said that at least 10 people from both sides were injured in the clash, the first  since the government shot dead four people during a Jan. 3 strike by garment workers demanding higher minimum wages.

During the clash Sunday, workers said they had confiscated slingshots with homemade metal balls that they claimed had been used to "shoot" at the protestors.

Mammoth rally shelved

Union representatives said plans to have a mammoth workers rally on Sunday had to be shelved due to the extraordinary security measures imposed in the capital.

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, said he was "sad" that the authorities used force to prevent workers from gathering to push their campaign for higher wages and call for the freedom of the 23 protesters who are being kept in a remote prison facility.

"Freedom in Cambodia has declined to zero," he said. "Freedom of assembly and speech are being restricted by the authorities."

Coalition of Cambodia Apparel Workers Democratic Union President Ath Thon called for a resumption of tripartite negotiations between unions, the government and the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), which represents factory owners, to discuss prospects for increasing minimum wages.

The unions are demanding that wages be doubled to U.S. $160 a month. The government clampdown earlier this month had forced an end to strikes and the return to factories by thousands of protesting workers.

"We are hoping to have talks soon," Ath Thon said. "We must use this chance to resolve this issue so we won't have any more problems."

CNRP gathering disrupted

CPP supporters hold anti-CNRP protests in Kampong Cham province, Jan 26, 2013. (RFA Photo)

  CPP supporters hold anti-CNRP protests in Kampong Cham province, Jan 26, 2013. (RFA Photo)

Meanwhile in Kampong Cham, ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) supporters, armed with sticks and protected by security forces, tried to disrupt a CNRP gathering, CNRP deputy president Kem Sokha said.

He accused Hun Sen of using his party's supporters to provoke clashes with CNRP supporters.

"This strategy is a threat against the constitution," Kem Sokha said.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan rejected the charges, saying the CPP supporters wanted to display their support for Prime minister Hun Sen.

"CPP members are adhering to their rights to protect their votes and support Hun Sen to be the prime minister," he said.

Hun Sen had recently urged his supporters to be prepared to counter CNRP protests calling for his resignation, saying the opposition action had "characteristics of a coup.”

The opposition had called on Hun Sen to resign and hold fresh elections after allegations of fraud and other irregularities in the July 2013 elections in which his CPP was declared victor by the government-appointed election body, which has dismissed calls for an independent probe into the polls.

Reported by RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Parameswaran Ponnudurai.

 

Source: RFA

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Cambodian PM to Visit Vietnam Amid Political Tensions at Home

Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) waves after casting his vote in elections in Kandal province, July 28, 2013

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is to visit Vietnam this week in a bid to boost ties with the neighboring ally, a government statement said as the opposition steps up demonstrations demanding his resignation and a re-election following disputed polls.

He will be accompanied by at least four senior ministers during the Dec 26-28 trip at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the statement said on Monday, a day after the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) said it drew 500,000 supporters in the largest protest to date against fraud and other irregularities in the July 28 elections .

Hun Sen and Dung will hold talks and witness the signing of eight agreements, including a treaty on extradition as well as those on cooperation in public security, trade, education, and information, according to the statement by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement said that Hun Sen is also scheduled to meet with Vietnamese National Assembly (parliament) chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, President Troung Tan Sang, and Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.

CNRP leaders and some analysts in Phnom Penh termed Hun Sen's visit unusual, especially at a time when he is facing daily opposition demonstrations in the capital.

CNRP deputy president Kem Sokha charged that Hun Sen might use the trip to seek Vietnam's support to hold on to power, adding that the premier should discuss the country's problems with Cambodians instead of foreign leaders.

“He is asking Vietnam to back up his power, but Vietnam can’t protect him anymore. Cambodians won’t allow any foreign countries to invade the country,” Kem Sokha said.

Wary

Many Cambodians are wary of Vietnam’s influence over their country’s affairs.

An estimated 1.7 million people, or one in four Cambodians, died in what came to be called the “Killing Fields” after the ultra-Communist Khmer Rouge took power in 1975. The regime was unseated when Vietnam invaded the country four years later.

Vietnam occupied the country for a decade before withdrawing its troops and signing the Paris Peace Agreement to restore sovereignty and stability to Cambodia.

“Cambodians are standing up," Kem Sokha said. "Hun Sen has made a lot of mistakes. He doesn’t need to ask what kinds of mistakes he has made.”

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association and Cambodian Confederation of Unions, said he was surprised to hear about Hun Sen’s trip to Vietnam amid the current political tensions.

“It is too much of a coincidence that his trip happens to take place during demonstrations demanding he step down,” he said. “We know that for the past 30 years the [ruling Cambodian People's Party] CPP has been holding on to power because of Vietnamese help."

CNRP President Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha on Sunday led the the largest opposition demonstration since the disputed July elections as the 500,000 crowd marched through the streets of Phnom Penh calling for Hun to step down and to announce new polls.

The CNRP, which has boycotted parliament saying it was robbed of victory due to poll fraud, launched daily mass protests a week ago to force a re-election after its calls for an independent election probe into irregularities were dismissed by the government.

It has vowed to keep up daily protests for three months or until there is a fresh vote.

Reject call

But Hun Sen has rejected the call for his resignation and fresh elections, saying there is no provision in the country's constitution that allows for a re-election.

“They ask me to resign, but what have I done wrong?” Hun Sen had said on Friday. “I obtained my position by means of the constitution and I will only leave it by means of the constitution,” he said.

Hun Sen, who has been premier for the last 28 years, said that according to article 78 of the constitution, the National Assembly shall not be dissolved before the end of its five-year term, except when the government is twice deposed within a period of 12 months.

The Cambodian opposition has been critical of Hun Sen's close ties with Vietnam.

The CNRP had previously pledged to reclaim an island off the country’s southern coast from Vietnam if it won the elections. Phu Quoc Island—known in Khmer as Koh Tral Island—has been administered by Vietnam for the last 150 years.

At least two lawsuits were filed by the authorities earlier this year against Kem Sokha for allegedly saying that a prison in Phnom Penh run by the notorious Khmer Rouge regime had been faked by Vietnam—a charge the CNRP has denied.

His purported comments prompted a mass protest against him in what opposition members said was a rally staged by the ruling party.

Sam Rainsy had also been convicted and ordered jailed in 2009 for the removal of a temporary post demarcating Cambodia’s border with Vietnam and for publishing a false map of the border with Vietnam, charges that were seen as politically motivated.

He was given a pardon by the country's King, enabling him to return from self-exile in France just before the July elections.

Reported by RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Parameswaran Ponnudurai.

Source: RFA

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Cambodia Opposition Leaders Slam Summons as ‘Politically Motivated’

Supporters accompany CNRP President Sam Rainsy (center) as he heads to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning, Jan. 14, 2014.

The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) said Tuesday that the country’s judiciary may be under pressure to victimize the political opposition after party leaders appeared in court for questioning over recent protests against Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Prosecutors at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court quizzed CNRP leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha about claims they fueled unrest that led to a deadly police crackdown on a strike by garment workers earlier this month.

A few thousand supporters stood outside the courtroom Tuesday during the closed-door hearing, where a key union leader, Rong Chhun, was also questioned about the violence.

Emerging from the court building after several hours, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, who have condemned the violent government crackdowns on the protests, vowed to fight for the truth.

“The truth will bring us justice,” Sam Rainsy told the crowd of supporters. “We will continue our struggle together until all Cambodians receive justice.”

At a press conference after the hearing, Kem Sokha raised concerns that the court could be under pressure to smear the opposition, saying the court summons was “purely politically motivated.”

“After the questioning, if there is no political pressure, the case will be dismissed. If the case is under political pressure, we will be persecuted,” he told reporters.

No charges

No charges have been filed against those who appeared at the court hearing, which is probing whether they provoked violence in the protests.

“The deputy prosecutor said he will inform us [about any charges] later,” said lawyer Khet Khym who represented Rong Chhun,  the president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions and the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association.

Rong Chhun and the two party leaders were issued their summonses on Jan. 4, as security forces dispersed CNRP protesters from their base camp in Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park a day after police killed four people during a crackdown on a protest by striking garment workers.

The opposition has both backed worker strikes calling for wage increases and held its own nonviolent mass protests calling on Hun Sen to quit and to hold new elections following disputed polls in July last year.

The CNRP, which has boycotted parliament over the polls, claims Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) stole victory in the election through fraud.  

Hun Sen 'won't step down'

In a public address on Monday, Hun Sen rejected the calls for his resignation, vowing to fulfill his responsibilities as prime minister throughout his whole term in office.

“I won’t step down,” he said, saying he had been elected constitutionally.

“I will be responsible in my job. I am not only the prime minister for the CPP but the prime minister of all Cambodians, [including those] who are asking me to step down.”

Sam Rainsy returned to Cambodia from self-imposed exile in France shortly before the elections after being given a royal pardon for charges that he said were politically motivated.

His return reinvigorated the opposition, which denied the CPP a two-thirds majority in parliament, according to official results.

CNRP protests drew tens of thousands to the streets in recent weeks and posed a major challenge to Hun Sen’s government alongside the strikes.

Workers return to garment factories

The workers’ strikes, which were focused on a demand for a U.S. $160 per month minimum wage, brought hundreds of factories in the garment industry, a key national currency earner, to a halt.

Factories lost a total of about U.S. $200 million during the strikes, but production at nearly all factories has now returned to normal, industry representatives told foreign diplomats at a briefing Tuesday.

Most workers have returned to work and nearly all factories have restarted operations since the Jan. 3 crackdown, said Van Sou Ieng, President of the Garment Manufacturer Association in Cambodia (GMAC), which represents factory owners.

The briefing—attended by diplomats from Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, England, France, and the E.U.—included a screening of a video showing workers destroying factory property during the strikes.

Van Sou Ieng said labor unions had not acted in accordance with the law in the strikes.

Rights groups have condemned the crackdown on the workers’ strike, which left nearly 40 workers injured, as the worst state violence against civilians in Cambodia in years.

In connection with the strike—and worker unrest a day earlier at another factory near the capital—authorities arrested 23 people and have since accused them of stirring up violence and causing damage to property.

Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Rachel Vandenbrink. 

Source: RFA 

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លោក ហ៊ុន សែន ព្រមាន​បក្ស​ប្រឆាំង

លោក ​ហ៊ុន សែន​​​ នៅ​ក្នុង​ពិធី​ នៅ​ខេត្ត​ក្រេ​ចេះ​​ កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​សៅរ៍។ រូបថត សហ​ការី

ក្រចេះ: លោក​​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្រ្តី ហ៊ុន សែន បាន​ព្រមាន​កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​សៅរ៍​ថា កិច្ច​ខិតខំ​ប្រឹង​ប្រែង​ណា​មួយ​ដើម្បី​ផ្តួល​រំលំ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល ឬ​សកម្មភាព​រំលោភ​រដ្ឋ​ធម្មនុញ្ញ​នឹង​ត្រូវ​បង្រ្កាប​យ៉ាង​ឆាប់​បំផុត ដែល​ការ​លើក​ឡើង​នេះ ហាក់​ដូច​ជា​ការ​ព្រមាន​ជា​ថ្មី​ទៀត​ចំពោះ​បាតុកម្ម​តាម​ផ្លូវ ខណៈ​ដែល​លោក​លើក​ឡើង​ថា ការ​ចរចា​គឺជា​វិធី​តែ​មួយ​គត់​ដើម្បី​ដោះស្រាយ​ភាព​ជាប់​គាំង​នយោបាយ​ដែល​ កំពុង​បន្ត​មាន។

លោក​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្រ្តី​បាន​លើក​ឡើង​បែប​នេះ ខណៈ​ដែល​ភាព​ជាប់​គាំង​ក្រោយ​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត​មាន​រយៈ​ពេល​ជិត​ដល់ ៦ខែ ដោយ​សិទិ្ធ​ធ្វើ​បាតុកម្ម​ដោយ​សន្តិវិធី​តាម​រដ្ឋ​ធម្មនុញ្ញ​ត្រូវ​បាន​ ព្យួរ​ដោយ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល បន្ទាប់​ពី​បាតុកម្ម​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ដ៏​ធំ​ដែល​ដឹក​នាំ​ដោយ​គណបក្ស​សង្គ្រោះ​ជាតិ បាន​អំពាវនាវ​ឲ្យ​លោក ហ៊ុន សែន ចុះ​ចេញ ហើយ​កូដកម្ម​របស់​កម្មករ​កាត់​ដេរ​បាន​សម្លាប់​ជីវិត​មនុស្ស បន្ទាប់​ពី​មាន​ការ​ប៉ះទង្គិច​ជាមួយ​នឹង​អាជ្ញាធរ។

លោក ហ៊ុន សែន បាន​ប្រាប់​អ្នក​ភូមិ ក្នុង​ពិធី​សម្ពោធ​ភូមិ​កុមារ SOS ក្នុង​ឃុំ អូរឫស្សី ខេត្ត ក្រចេះ កាល​ពីថ្ងៃ​សៅរ៍​ថា៖ «ប្រសិន​បើ​មាន​សកម្មភាព​ប្រឆាំង​នឹង​រដ្ឋ​ធម្មនុញ្ញ​ឬ​រដ្ឋ​ប្រហារ​ផ្តួល​ រលំ [រដ្ឋាភិបាល] បញ្ហា​នឹង​ត្រូវ​ដោះស្រាយ​ក្នុង​រយៈ​ពេល​ប៉ុន្មាន​ម៉ោង​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ ហើយ​នឹង​បញ្ចប់»។

លោក​បាន​បន្ថែម​ថា៖ «បញ្ហា​ត្រូវ​តែ​ដោះស្រាយ​នៅ​តុ​ចរចា ក្នុង​រដ្ឋសភា ប៉ុន្តែ​មិន​មែន​នៅ​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ទេ»។ លោក ហ៊ុន សែន ក៏​បាន​អំពាវនាវ​ដល់​អ្នក​គាំទ្រ​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន ឲ្យ​ត្រៀម​ខ្លួន ដើម្បី​ទប់​នឹង​បាតុកម្ម ហើយ​បង្ហាញ​ការ​គាំទ្រ​របស់​ខ្លួន​ចំពោះ​គណបក្ស​កាន់​អំណាច ប្រសិន​បើ​ចាំ​បាច់។

លោក​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្រ្តី​ក៏​បាន​ព្រមាន​គណបក្ស​ប្រឆាំង​ថា ការ​នៅ​ស្ងៀម​របស់​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ចំពោះ​បាតុកម្ម​មិន​គួរ​ចាត់​ទុក​ជា​សញ្ញា​ថា សកម្មភាព​របស់​ខ្លួន​ត្រូវ​បាន​ទទួល​យក​នោះ​ទេ។

«និយាយ​ឲ្យ​ច្បាស់​ថា មិន​គួរ​យល់​ថា ពេល​យើង​ស្ងៀម​ស្ងាត់ មាន​ន័យ​ថា យើង​មិន​ធ្វើ​សកម្មភាព​នោះ​ទេ។ យើង​នឹង​ចាត់​វិធានការ តែ​ពេល​វា​ដល់​ពេល។ វា​មិន​មែន​ជា​ការ​ព្រមាន​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែ​វា​ជា​ការ​អនុវត្ត​ច្បាប់​និង​ការពារ​រដ្ឋ​ធម្មនុញ្ញ»។

លោក​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្រ្តី​បាន​បន្ថែម​ថា ព្រះ​រាជាណាចក្រ​កម្ពុជា បាន​វិល​ត្រឡប់​មក​សភាព​ធម្មតា​វិញ​ហើយ។ លោក​បាន​ថ្លែង​ថា៖ «អ្វី​ដែល​យើង​ត្រូវ​យក​ចិត្ត​ទុក​ដាក់​ពេល​នេះ​គឺ​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​ការ​រស់​នៅ​ របស់​ប្រជាជន​ដូច​ធម្មតា​ឡើង​វិញ... ខ្ញុំ​មិន​អនុញ្ញាត​ឲ្យ​ក្រុម ឬ​បុគ្គល​ណា​មួយ​យក​ប្រទេស​ជា​ចំណាប់​ខ្មាំង​ឡើយ»។

គណបក្ស​សង្គ្រោះ​ជាតិ​បាន​ជំទាស់​លទ្ធផល​នៃ​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត​ថ្ងៃ ទី២៨ ខែ កក្កដា ដែល​ផ្តល់​អាសនៈ ៥៥ ដល់​ខ្លួន និង ៦៨ ដល់​គណបក្ស​កាន់​អំណាច។ គណបក្ស​ប្រឆាំង​អះអាង​ថា ភាព​មិន​ប្រក្រតី​ធំៗ​ប៉ះពាល់​ដល់​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត ហើយ​បាន​ធ្វើ​ពហិការ​ប្រជុំ​រដ្ឋសភា ចាប់​តាំង​ពី​រដ្ឋសភា​បាន​បើក​ដោយ​ឯក​បក្ស​ក្នុង​ខែ កញ្ញា មក។

នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​សៅរ៍ លោក ហ៊ុន សែន បាន​ច្រាន​ចោល​នូវ​របាយ​ការណ៍​របស់​ប្រព័ន្ធ​ផ្សព្វ​ផ្សាយ​ដែល​ថា លោក​បាន​ស្នើ​សុំ​លោក សូរិយ៉ា ស៊ូប៊ែរឌី ប្រេសិត​សិទិ្ធ​មនុស្ស​របស់​អង្គការ​សហ​ប្រជាជាតិ​ឲ្យ​សម្រុះ​សម្រួល រវាង​គណបក្ស​នយោបាយ​ទាំង​ពីរ ក្នុង​អំឡុង​ពេល​លោក​បាន​ធ្វើ​បេសកកម្ម​មក​កាន់​កម្ពុជា កាល​ពី​សប្តាហ៍​មុន ដោយ​លោក​ថ្លែង​ថា កម្ពុជា​មិន​ត្រូវ​ការ​បរទេស​មក​ផ្សះផ្សា​ទេ។ លោក​បន្ត​ថា៖ «ប្រសិន​បើ​ចាំ​បាច់ ព្រះ​មហាក្សត្រ នរោត្តម សីហមុនី នឹង​ជា​អ្នក​ផ្សះ​ផ្សា​មួយ​អង្គ​គត់ លើក​លែង​តែ [គម្លាត​រវាង​គណបក្ស​ទាំង​ពីរ] បាន​រួម​តូច​ក្នុង​វិវាទ​នេះ»។

លោក​បន្ថែម​ទៀត​ថា ការ​ធ្វើ​ប្រជាមតិ​ដើម្បី​សម្រេច​ថា​តើ​គួរ​រៀបចំ​បោះឆ្នោត​មុន​អាណតិ្ត ដែល​ជា​គំនិត​លើក​ឡើង ដោយ​ភាគី​នយោបាយ​ដែល​ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​ត្រូវ​តែ​ចាប់​ផ្តើម​ពី​រដ្ឋសភា។

កាល​ពី​សប្តាហ៍​មុន អ្នក​វិភាគ​នយោបាយ​បាន​លើក​ឡើង​អំពី​ការ​ចរចា​លក្ខណៈ​ឯកជន​រវាង​គណបក្ស ទាំង​ពីរ តាម​រយៈ​អ្នក​ផ្សះ​ផ្សា ទី៣ បាន​ប្រាប់ ភ្នំពេញ ប៉ុស្តិ៍ ថា ដំណោះស្រាយ​ចំពោះ​ភាព​ជាប់​គាំង​នយោបាយ​ជិត​បាន​ព្រម​ព្រៀង​ហើយ ដោយ​លោក ហ៊ុន សែន បាន​ព្រម​ព្រៀង​ជា​គោល​ការណ៍ ៨០ ភាគរយ​នៃ​ការ​ទាម​ទារ​របស់​គណបក្ស​ប្រឆាំង​ដែល​រាប់​បញ្ចូល​ទាំង​ការ​ បោះឆ្នោត​ក្នុង​ឆ្នាំ ២០១៥ ឬ ២០១៦ បើ​ទោះ​បី​ជា​ពួក​គេ​មិន​បាន​បញ្ជាក់​ថា​តើ ការ​ទាមទារ​អ្វី​បាន​ព្រម​ព្រៀង​រួច​ហើយ​ក៏​ដោយ។

លោក យឹម សុវណ្ណ អ្នក​នាំ​ពាក្យ​របស់​គណបក្ស​សង្គ្រោះ​ជាតិ​បាន​ថ្លែង​កាល​ពី​ម្សិលមិញ​ថា អ្វីៗ​ដែល​គណបក្ស​របស់​លោក​បាន​ធ្វើ​រហូត​មក​ដល់​ពេល​នេះ​រួម​ទាំង​ការ​ធ្វើ ​បាតុកម្ម​តាម​ផ្លូវ​គឺ​គោរព «គោលការណ៍​ប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ​និង​គោល​ការណ៍​រដ្ឋ​ធម្មនុញ្ញ»។

លោក​បាន​បន្ត​ថា៖ «គឺ​គណបក្ស​ប្រជាជន​កម្ពុជា​ទៅ​វិញ​ទេ ដែល​ចាប់​ផ្តើម​ធ្វើ​រដ្ឋ​ប្រហារ​រដ្ឋ​ធម្មនុញ្ញ។ មាន​តែ​គណបក្ស​តែ​មួយ​គត់​ដែល​បង្កើត​រដ្ឋសភា​... ​យើង​មិន​បាន​ធ្វើ​អ្វី​ផ្ទុយ​រដ្ឋ​ធម្មនុញ្ញ​ទេ»។ លោក​បន្ត​ថា៖ «យើង​នឹង​មិន​អង្គុយ​នៅ​សភា​ប្រឆាំង​នឹង​ឆន្ទៈ​របស់​ប្រជាជន​ទេ។ នៅ​ពេល​មាន​ឆន្ទៈ វា​មាន​ផ្លូវ។ អ្វី​ក៏​ដោយ​ដែល​មិន​ហាម​ប្រាម​ដោយ​ច្បាប់​គឺ​អាច​ធ្វើ​ទៅ​បាន។ ប្រសិន​បើ​មាន​ឆន្ទៈ​នយោបាយ​ធ្វើ​វា យើង​អាច​ធ្វើ​វា»។

លោក សុវណ្ណ បាន​បន្ថែម​ថា «ប្រសិន​បើ​ពួក​គេ​យល់​ព្រម​ឲ្យ​មាន​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត​ឡើង​វិញ​និង​កំណែ​ទម្រង់​ នៃ​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត យើង​អាច​អង្គុយ​នៅ​មុខ​ព្រះ​មហាក្សត្រ និង​ចុះ​កិច្ច​ព្រម​ព្រៀង ហើយ​បន្ទាប់​មក យើង​នឹង​ទៅ រដ្ឋសភា»។

អ្នក​វិភាគ​នយោបាយ លោក កែម ឡី បាន​ថ្លែង​ថា លោក​បាន​ស្តាប់​សុន្ទរកថា​របស់​លោក ហ៊ុន សែន ជា «សារ​នយោបាយ» មួយ​ដែល​ទទួល​ស្គាល់​ថា ការ​បោះឆ្នោត​លឿន​មុន​ការ​កំណត់​ទំនង​នឹង​ធ្វើ​ឡើង។ លោក​បន្ត​ថា៖ «គណបក្ស​ទាំង​ពីរ​នឹង​ចូល​រួម​សភា ហើយ​ធ្វើ​វិសោធនកម្ម​មាត្រា ៧៨ [ដែល​ចែង​ថា សភា​មិន​អាច​រំលាយ​បាន​ពី​មុន​ការ​ចប់​អាណត្តិ​រយៈ​ពេល ៥ឆ្នាំ របស់​ខ្លួន] ហើយ​រៀបចំ​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត​អាណត្តិ ទី៦ មុន​ឆ្នាំ ២០១៨»។

លោក កែម ឡី បាន​បន្ថែម​ថា៖ «នោះ​ហើយ​ជា​មូល​ហេតុ​ដែល​លោក ហ៊ុន សែន កំពុង​ចាប់​ផ្តើម​រៀបចំ​យុទ្ធនាការ​បោះឆ្នោត​របស់​គាត់​ចាប់​ពី​ពេល​នេះ​ទៅ។ សារ​នយោបាយ​ពី​ខេត្ត ក្រចេះ គឺជា​យុទ្ធនាការ​បោះឆ្នោត​រួច​ទៅ​ហើយ»។

លោក សុខ ទូច អ្នក​វិទ្យាសាស្រ្ត​ផ្នែក​នយោបាយ​បាន​ថ្លែង​ថា ភាព​ជាប់​គាំង​នយោបាយ​បន្ទាប់​ពី​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត​ទាំង​អស់​កាល​ពី​អតីតកាល ត្រូវ​បាន​ដោះស្រាយ​តាម​រយៈ​ឆន្ទៈ​នយោបាយ និង​មិន​មែន​ទៅ​តាម​វិធានការ​រដ្ឋ​ធម្មនុញ្ញ​តឹងរ៉ឹង​នោះ​ទេ។ «ខ្ញុំ​គិត​ថា ឆន្ទៈ​នយោបាយ​គឺជា​ឆន្ទៈ​តែ​មួយ​គត់​ដើម្បី​ដោះស្រាយ​បញ្ហា​... ​ពីព្រោះ​គណបក្ស​នីមួយៗ​មាន​ឆន្ទៈ​ខុស​គ្នា​អំពី​របៀប​បក​ស្រាយ​រដ្ឋ​ ធម្មនុញ្ញ»។

លោក សុខ ទូច បាន​បន្ថែម​ថា អ្នក​គាំទ្រ​គណបក្ស​កាន់​អំណាច​នឹង​មិន​ចេញ​មក​ធ្វើ​បាតុកម្ម​ការពារ​គណបក្ស ​កាន់​អំណាច​នោះ​ទេ ហើយ​លោក​បាន​ហៅ​ទិចនិក​នេះ​ថា «ហួស​សម័យ»។

កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​ព្រហស្បតិ៍ នៅ​ក្នុង​ចំណាត់​ការ​មួយ​ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​សរសើរ​ដោយ​គណបក្ស​សង្គ្រោះ​ជាតិ សភា​អឺរ៉ុប បាន​អនុម័ត​សេចក្តី​សម្រេច​មួយ​អំពាវនាវ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​លុប​ចោល​ការ​ហាម​ប្រាម​ ការ​ជួប​ជុំ​ប្រមូល​ផ្តុំ​សាធារណៈ និង «ទទួល​ស្គាល់​តួនាទី​ស្រប​ច្បាប់» របស់​គណបក្ស​ប្រឆាំង និង​សុំ​ឲ្យ​មាន​ការ​លើក​ចោល​ដីកា​កោះ​របស់​តុលាការ​ទៅ​លើ​មេ​ដឹក​នាំ​របស់​ គណបក្ស​នេះ និង​សុំ​ឲ្យ​មាន​ការ​ទទួល​យក​ការ​ស៊ើប​អង្កេត​ដែល​មាន​ការ​ជួយ​ជា​អន្តរជាតិ ​ទៅ​លើ​ភាព​មិន​ប្រក្រតី​នៃ​ការ​បោះឆ្នោត។

ម្ចាស់​ជំនួយ​ដ៏​ធំ​បំផុត​របស់​កម្ពុជា​នេះ ក៏​បាន​អំពាវនាវ​ទៅ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ផង​ដែរ​ឲ្យ​ដោះលែង​មនុស្ស ២៣ នាក់ ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​ក្នុង​អំឡុង​ការ​បង្ក្រាប​របស់​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ទៅ​លើ​ កម្មករ​កាត់​ដេរ​ដែល​ធ្វើ​បាតុកម្ម​កាល​ពី​ដើម​ខែ​នេះ និង​ស៊ើប​អង្កេត​ការ​ស្លាប់​មនុស្ស ៤នាក់ ដោយ​កម្លាំង​ប្រដាប់​អាវុធ​ក្នុង​អំឡុង​ប្រតិបត្តិការ​បង្ក្រាប​នោះ៕ TK/PS

រាយការណ៍​បន្ថែម​ដោយ Kevin Ponniahhttp://www.postkhmer.com/national/1-national-news/109451-2014-01-20-04-01-13

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