Buddhist monks in Cambodia chant prayers at a memorial for victims of a grenade attack that killed 16 anti-government protesters in Phnom Penh nine years ago. (Photo BBC)
Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy light candles in front of victims' portraits at a memorial for victims of a grenade attack, which took place near Cambodia's National Assembly on March 30, 1997, during the ninth anniversary of the attack in Phnom Penh March 30, 2006. REUTERS/Chor SokuntheaPHNOM PENH, March 30 (Kyodo) - Cambodia's opposition Sam Rainsy Party urged the government on Thursday to seriously investigate a grenade attack in the capital nine years ago that killed 16 people.
"The Sam Rainsy Party asks the Royal Cambodian government to start to seriously investigate this heinous crime in order to render justice to the victims," the party said in a statement released on the ninth anniversary of the attack.
"Justice that has been delayed so far must not be denied forever," it added.
The attack, which also injured more than a hundred people, occurred in front of the National Assembly during a peaceful protest led by party leader Sam Rainsy.
The Asian Human Rights Commission also released a statement Thursday saying it was concerned that the investigation may have ended.
"After nine years, the police investigation has not led to a single arrest. No progress report has been made known to the public or the relatives of the dead and the survivors. There are concerns that inquiries have been closed," it said.
"All this only adds to the already strong suspicion that the attack was intended as a blatant assassination and that Cambodia's investigating agencies are mere instruments of the country's rulers," it added.
Also on Thursday, the New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a separate urging the U.S. government to reopen its investigation because one American was among the injured.
No Cambodian government officials commented on the issue Thursday.
"The Sam Rainsy Party asks the Royal Cambodian government to start to seriously investigate this heinous crime in order to render justice to the victims," the party said in a statement released on the ninth anniversary of the attack.
"Justice that has been delayed so far must not be denied forever," it added.
The attack, which also injured more than a hundred people, occurred in front of the National Assembly during a peaceful protest led by party leader Sam Rainsy.
The Asian Human Rights Commission also released a statement Thursday saying it was concerned that the investigation may have ended.
"After nine years, the police investigation has not led to a single arrest. No progress report has been made known to the public or the relatives of the dead and the survivors. There are concerns that inquiries have been closed," it said.
"All this only adds to the already strong suspicion that the attack was intended as a blatant assassination and that Cambodia's investigating agencies are mere instruments of the country's rulers," it added.
Also on Thursday, the New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a separate urging the U.S. government to reopen its investigation because one American was among the injured.
No Cambodian government officials commented on the issue Thursday.
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