Original report from Phnom Penh
29 March 2010
The government on Monday announced the launch of public handbooks outlining the rights of demonstrators under a new law passed late last year.
The handbook, which was sponsored by USAID, seeks to prevent legal conflict for protesters following the December 2009 passage of a controversial demonstration law.
Demonstrations in Cambodia sometimes lead to injuries among participants, who clash with armed security forces over issues such as land rights and labor conditions.
Some 200 officials, including provincial leaders, police and military police, as well as non-governmental organizations, took part in the announcement Monday.
Critics say the demonstration law, which restricts non-sanctioned gatherings to under 200 people, is too strict and reduces basic constitutional freedoms and that it does not clarify what issues relate to “national security, public order, health and public morality,” key provisions in the law.
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