Protest to target Thai PM's visit

Written by Vong Sokheng
Friday, 12 June 2009
The Phnom Penh Post

Union members to demonstrate against Thai border incursions.

AT least 150 trade union members have threatened to picket today's state visit by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to protest what they said were recent border incursions by Thai troops.

Municipal officials held meetings Thursday with representatives of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) and the Free Trade Union (FTU), warning them that they would face consequences if they protested without the approval of the Ministry of Interior, said CCU President Rong Chhun.

"We know that the local authorities will try to take measures against us, but we will try our best to move ahead with this peaceful demonstration demanding that Thailand stop its ambitious invasions of Cambodia," he said Thursday.

Rong Chhun said the protesters would march peacefully to the National Assembly and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send a message to Abhisit to withdraw his soldiers from Cambodian territory and return them to their bases by July 15.

He said they would also call on Thailand to pay compensation for the damage of a market near Preah Vihear temple that occurred when during clashes April 3.

FTU President Chea Mony said an attempt to crack down on the demonstration would indicate that the government had no political will to resolve border issues with Thailand.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said Wednesday that Abhisit was scheduled to meet with King Norodom Sihamoni and senior officials from the ruling Cambodian People's Party, adding that he hoped border issues would be addressed.

"Our two countries are facing problems with a border conflict, and I hope that the border issues will be the topic of discussion between the two prime ministers," he said.

He said Abhisit would preside over a ceremony marking the return of seven Cambodian artefacts stolen by smugglers. Municipal Police Chief Touch Naruth could not be reached for comment after Thursday's meeting.

Lawyer calls on KCF head to pay for criticism of Angkor Wat lights

KCF President Moeung Sonn

Written by Chrann Chamroeun
Thursday, 11 June 2009
The Phnom Penh Post

KCF President Moeung Sonn, who has fled to France, maintains that the government is to blame for public outcry over installation work.

Government lawyer Pal Chan Dara answered questions in Phnom Penh Municipal Court Tuesday regarding his June 2 complaint accusing the president of the Khmer Civilisation Foundation (KCF) of inciting the public and spreading false information.

Moeung Sonn, the KCF president, held a press conference in Siem Reap last month during which he claimed that the installation of new light fixtures had damaged Angkor Wat.

Pal Chan Dara said Tuesday that he asked the court to make Moeung Sonn pay 10 million riels (US$2,400) for severely damaging the government's reputation.

The lawyer criticised Moeung Sonn's "rubbish press conference in Siem Reap", which he said "was absolutely wrong ... and made tourists fearful and unwilling to visit the temple".

Moeung Sonn, who fled to France to avoid arrest, defended his actions in an interview with the Post, saying much of the blame for the outcry over Angkor Wat's new lights lies with the government.

"Government officials [should have] informed the public in advance that the installation of the lights designed to attract more visitors at night ... will not cause damage," he said from France, adding that he had asked Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Sihamoni and King Father Norodom Sihanouk to intervene on his behalf.

The Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) condemned the government's use of the judiciary to silence critics in a June 9 press release, and the CWC representative singled out Moeung Sonn's case as typical of the government's attacks on free speech.

"The government shouldn't have sued Moeung Sonn for his concern over the lights at Angkor Wat - which surely damaged the temple, but the government rejected the truth and sued him," Rong Chunn, the CWC representative said. "Government officials are now using the court system to discourage all critics."

"To request Thailand to stop military occupation of Cambodian territories", Rong Chhun.

Phnom Penh Police warned Mr. Rong Chhun not to protest against the Thai PM's visit

Source: Khmer Sthapana newspaper
Reported in English by Khmerization

A group of Cambodian civil societies have planned to stage a peaceful protest and present a petition to the Thai PM during his visit to Cambodia this Friday, but the Chief of Phnom Penh Police, Mr. Touch Naroth, warned such an action would constitute a social disorder if their action was not approved by the authority, reports Khmer Sthapana.

Mr, Rong Chhun (pictured), president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, has indicated that his group has planned to stage a peaceful protest and present a petition to the Thai PM, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, to request Thailand to stop military occupation of Cambodian territories.

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith and Mr. Koy Kuong, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were not available for comments, but Mr. Touch Naroth said that the Thai PM is on an official visit and that the Cambodian authority will not allow any action that would embarrass our guest as well as ruining the reputation of the Cambodian government.

Mr. Touch Naroth said that any action that disrupts the Thai PM's visit or cause social disorders will be dealt with by the laws.

The Thai PM is scheduled to arrive in Cambodia on Friday for a two day visit. According to some Cambodian media reports, the agenda for the meeting between Prime Minister Hun Sen and Mr. Abhisit have not been worked out yet. But during the visit, the Thai PM is planning to hand over some pieces of stolen artefacts to Cambodia as well as having an audience with King Sihamoni.

Government Critics Abused by Courts: Group

By Chun Sakada,
VOA Khmer, Original report from Phnom Penh
09 June 2009

The Cambodia Watchdog Council on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Hun Sen to drop a suit against an opposition lawmaker, claiming the courts are being used to stymie critics of the government.

A rash of defamation suits and criminal cases against incitement have appeared in recent weeks in the courts, including the suit of Hun Sen against Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian Mu Sochua, who herself is suing the premier for defamation, for allegedly lewd remarks in the 2008 election campaign.

The head of a non-governmental agency and the editor of an opposition newspaper are also facing lawsuits and criminal offenses in Phnom Penh Municipal Court after offending senior officials, said Rong Chhun, a member of the Watchdog Council.

“Our national leaders do not accept constructive criticism from critics, to consider and to resolve, but the government uses the court system to cover their wrongdoing and has no courage to accept the facts,” he said in a statement.

The use of the courts to “pressure and silence critics” was “threatening freedom of expression,” he said.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan denied the charges, saying the government was working to “strengthen the rule of law and protect people’s rights and freedoms.”