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Khmer Times/Taing Vida | Sunday, 08 May 2016
Members of civil society, monks and community members affected by land disputes plan to wear all black and gather in front of the prison to demand the release of four Adhoc officials and one National Election Committee (NEC) official, who were detained there after being charged for their alleged involvement in the sex scandal surrounding Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) acting president Kem Sokha.
In response to the planned demonstration, the government has threatened legal action against those involved who break Cambodian law.
In a statement released yesterday, the government’s Interior Ministry warned the public and members of non-governmental organizations that any rally or assembly must be conducted within the legal confines of the constitution and pay particularly close attention to the Law on Peaceful Demonstration.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia always considers associations and non-government organizations inevitable partners in developing the country now and in the future, but any activity conducted by them must be within the legal framework and not in any way harm the peace, stability and harmony of the people,” the statement says.
“Otherwise, competent authorities at all levels will execute their roles and take action.” The Black Monday campaign was named by a number of NGOs and is meant to send a message to the international community that human rights in Cambodia are in danger, while urging the government to consider the release of detained human rights activists unconditionally.
Cambodian citizens have also been called on to wear black once a week, particularly on Mondays in their workplaces, in order to participate in advocacy against what many call the wrongful detention of the five human rights officers and push for their release.
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan called the Black Monday campaign both a revolutionary movement against the government and a rebel group that has received assistance from foreign parties to undermine Cambodian society.
“They should find a solution through the courts in accordance with the rule of law, not protest insurrection. Some NGOs and those who are against the government always color the heat of political situation. Competent authorities of course would take action if the campaign clearly caused uproar.
“I think the black revolution is what they really want behind such a campaign,” Mr. Siphan said.
Urban NGO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut said about 200 people will gather to demand the release of the Adhoc and NEC officials.
Executive director Ee Sarom said he was not surprised by the threat of government action or prosecution.
“This campaign was just to wear black with no violence.
“It’s just a peaceful gathering. So we do not fear any threat.
“The reason that I as well as others will participate in the campaign is because we have been aware of their activities to promote human rights. We cannot act like we do not care about attacks upon human rights activists,” Mr. Sarom said.
The scandal surrounding Mr. Sokha and his alleged mistress escalated last week when four Adhoc officials were charged with bribing a witness, while an NEC official and UN official Sally Soen, despite his diplomatic immunity, were charged with conspiring to bribe a witness.
A CNRP commune chief was also charged in relation to the case.
Mr. Sokha was issued a court summons for May 11 over a defamation lawsuit filed by former CNRP activist Thy Sovanntha, while two other CNRP members will be summoned later this month over the sex scandal.
Mr. Sokha said in a statement last week that he and other members of the CNRP would ignore any summons issued to them on the grounds that all members of parliament are guaranteed judicial immunity.
Clik here to view.
Khmer Times/Taing Vida | Sunday, 08 May 2016
Members of civil society, monks and community members affected by land disputes plan to wear all black and gather in front of the prison to demand the release of four Adhoc officials and one National Election Committee (NEC) official, who were detained there after being charged for their alleged involvement in the sex scandal surrounding Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) acting president Kem Sokha.
In response to the planned demonstration, the government has threatened legal action against those involved who break Cambodian law.
In a statement released yesterday, the government’s Interior Ministry warned the public and members of non-governmental organizations that any rally or assembly must be conducted within the legal confines of the constitution and pay particularly close attention to the Law on Peaceful Demonstration.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia always considers associations and non-government organizations inevitable partners in developing the country now and in the future, but any activity conducted by them must be within the legal framework and not in any way harm the peace, stability and harmony of the people,” the statement says.
“Otherwise, competent authorities at all levels will execute their roles and take action.” The Black Monday campaign was named by a number of NGOs and is meant to send a message to the international community that human rights in Cambodia are in danger, while urging the government to consider the release of detained human rights activists unconditionally.
Cambodian citizens have also been called on to wear black once a week, particularly on Mondays in their workplaces, in order to participate in advocacy against what many call the wrongful detention of the five human rights officers and push for their release.
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan called the Black Monday campaign both a revolutionary movement against the government and a rebel group that has received assistance from foreign parties to undermine Cambodian society.
“They should find a solution through the courts in accordance with the rule of law, not protest insurrection. Some NGOs and those who are against the government always color the heat of political situation. Competent authorities of course would take action if the campaign clearly caused uproar.
“I think the black revolution is what they really want behind such a campaign,” Mr. Siphan said.
Urban NGO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut said about 200 people will gather to demand the release of the Adhoc and NEC officials.
Executive director Ee Sarom said he was not surprised by the threat of government action or prosecution.
“This campaign was just to wear black with no violence.
“It’s just a peaceful gathering. So we do not fear any threat.
“The reason that I as well as others will participate in the campaign is because we have been aware of their activities to promote human rights. We cannot act like we do not care about attacks upon human rights activists,” Mr. Sarom said.
The scandal surrounding Mr. Sokha and his alleged mistress escalated last week when four Adhoc officials were charged with bribing a witness, while an NEC official and UN official Sally Soen, despite his diplomatic immunity, were charged with conspiring to bribe a witness.
A CNRP commune chief was also charged in relation to the case.
Mr. Sokha was issued a court summons for May 11 over a defamation lawsuit filed by former CNRP activist Thy Sovanntha, while two other CNRP members will be summoned later this month over the sex scandal.
Mr. Sokha said in a statement last week that he and other members of the CNRP would ignore any summons issued to them on the grounds that all members of parliament are guaranteed judicial immunity.