Riot police is trying to confiscate kites (Photo: RFA)Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Riot Police Take the Wind Out of Kite Protest
By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
More than 100 armed police blocked NGO workers and lawmakers from flying kites in front of the National Assembly on Monday morning claiming the colorful demonstration could have interrupted air traffic or hoisted airborne explosives.
The officers, many armed with riot shields, electric batons, AK-47 assault rifles and tear gas, confiscated some 70 kites from the peaceful protestors who were trying to highlight the need for freedom of expression.
"We are afraid for the security of airplanes," government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said of the police crackdown on the kites.
Kites can only be flown safely in nearby Hun Sen Park and a field in Russei Keo district's Toek Thla commune, the ministers added.
The kite flying, organized by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, was aimed at getting the Assembly to adopt a law guaranteeing people's rights to peaceful protest and the need to amend a law curbing the rights of free speech of lawmakers.
The organizers also want the Assembly to scrap jail terms for those charged with disinformation, the criminal charge that has now become fashionable since the Assembly removed jail terms from the defamation law.
CCHR Executive Director Pa Nguon Teang said the police operation exposed the government's totalitarian tendencies.
"The authorities have shown their dictatorial nature. They are destroying the foundations of freedom of expression," he said.
Interior Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Khieu Sopheak said the kite posed threats to more than just aircraft. Rogue elements could have attached grenades to the kites and staged an attack on parliament, he declared.
"We are afraid of grenades on the kites because that area is a protected area."
CCHR staff initially tried to run away from the police and hold onto their kites, which bore the words "freedom of expression," but surrendered them after a short chase. Police then collected the kites in a large pile, before driving them away on two trucks. No one was arrested.
The confiscation took place after negotiations collapsed between Pa Nguon Teang, Licadho President Kek Galabru, SRP lawmakers Son Chhay and Keo Remy, with Daun Penh Deputy Governor Pich Socheata.
"We are sad. The confiscation has affected freedom of expression and democratic principles," Kek Galabru said after Pich Socheata announced that the kites could not be flown.
Kek Galabru warned that the government's reputation was suffering because of its failures to act in a democratic manner. She also accused authorities of treating NGO workers like terrorists.
Pich Socheata said the kites were blocked because City Hall had not given the green light.
She also said the kite dangers were not aircraft or grenades, but motorcycles and the public.
"If you had been given permission to fly the kites, I would have provided security for you," she told Pa Nguon Teang. "If you fly the kites, at least 100 motorbike drivers will stop to watch the kites and this will affect security," Pich Socheata maintained.
Authorities were simply upholding the law, and had not undermined Cambodia's democratic process, she said. "We didn't use any violence," she added.
Keo Sivorn, chief of flight operations and air safety at the Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said kites in front of the Assembly would not cause planes to crash.
"The National Assembly is not a route for landing planes. Kites cannot fly high enough to crash into a plane," he said.
The officers, many armed with riot shields, electric batons, AK-47 assault rifles and tear gas, confiscated some 70 kites from the peaceful protestors who were trying to highlight the need for freedom of expression.
"We are afraid for the security of airplanes," government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said of the police crackdown on the kites.
Kites can only be flown safely in nearby Hun Sen Park and a field in Russei Keo district's Toek Thla commune, the ministers added.
The kite flying, organized by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, was aimed at getting the Assembly to adopt a law guaranteeing people's rights to peaceful protest and the need to amend a law curbing the rights of free speech of lawmakers.
The organizers also want the Assembly to scrap jail terms for those charged with disinformation, the criminal charge that has now become fashionable since the Assembly removed jail terms from the defamation law.
CCHR Executive Director Pa Nguon Teang said the police operation exposed the government's totalitarian tendencies.
"The authorities have shown their dictatorial nature. They are destroying the foundations of freedom of expression," he said.
Interior Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Khieu Sopheak said the kite posed threats to more than just aircraft. Rogue elements could have attached grenades to the kites and staged an attack on parliament, he declared.
"We are afraid of grenades on the kites because that area is a protected area."
CCHR staff initially tried to run away from the police and hold onto their kites, which bore the words "freedom of expression," but surrendered them after a short chase. Police then collected the kites in a large pile, before driving them away on two trucks. No one was arrested.
The confiscation took place after negotiations collapsed between Pa Nguon Teang, Licadho President Kek Galabru, SRP lawmakers Son Chhay and Keo Remy, with Daun Penh Deputy Governor Pich Socheata.
"We are sad. The confiscation has affected freedom of expression and democratic principles," Kek Galabru said after Pich Socheata announced that the kites could not be flown.
Kek Galabru warned that the government's reputation was suffering because of its failures to act in a democratic manner. She also accused authorities of treating NGO workers like terrorists.
Pich Socheata said the kites were blocked because City Hall had not given the green light.
She also said the kite dangers were not aircraft or grenades, but motorcycles and the public.
"If you had been given permission to fly the kites, I would have provided security for you," she told Pa Nguon Teang. "If you fly the kites, at least 100 motorbike drivers will stop to watch the kites and this will affect security," Pich Socheata maintained.
Authorities were simply upholding the law, and had not undermined Cambodia's democratic process, she said. "We didn't use any violence," she added.
Keo Sivorn, chief of flight operations and air safety at the Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said kites in front of the Assembly would not cause planes to crash.
"The National Assembly is not a route for landing planes. Kites cannot fly high enough to crash into a plane," he said.
9 comments:
Oh! how stupid those CCP highest level!!!!!!!!!! Sorry Cambodian, hope some day you free yourselves from those idiots!!!!!
WE WILL FLY KITE TO HIT YOUR HEAD SOMEDAY HUN SEN AND HOK LANDY!
AND WE DROP SHIT ON YOUR HEAD TOO!
Hi! Bang Sen, just kites...is not a plane why you so scare.
Grenades on Kites? Goes to show how stupid Cambodian government are. I think Issac Newton is turning over his grave now.
I can see the headline on the AP. Kites bring down planes over National Assembaly in Cambodia.
I knew that all of those college degrees these CPP holds didn't go to waste.
ahhahahahahahhahahahahahah!
Who the fuck would fly a fucken plane that low! Why AH Khieu Kanharith used to be a pilot before?
No Kanharith fly on all hooker in cambodia, and all Phompenhoir know it!
It is so ridiculous about banning the kite flying in front of NA.
Kek Galabru is right. Hun Sen’s Government treats NGO worker as terrorists.
How stupid Government Spokesmen, Khieu Kanharith? I want to know which teacher taught him to say that the kite can destroy the airplane. Next time, you should shut your mouth up and think to use another idea. I think 5 years-old buy can do better than him.
Another one, how is stupid Khieu Sopheak?. I wonder that maybe they both are the same family. If so, maybe their gene from their parents blood is go through the same vain. So, they are both the same. How can you put the grenade on the kite and let it fly? If it does so, I think U.S will invite him to invent a new technology for the U.S army weapon.
Next time , shut the fuck up before you say the dumb answer or idea. So, don’t let Khmer people know how dump and stupid you are.
Okay…
Thanks
AH Khieu Kanharith (Information Minister) and AH Khieu Sopheak (Lieutenant General)...how the fuck did these two brother got this job.
Hhahahaha
It obvious that Ah Kanharith have flown a plan and crushed into a 200gram kites as a result his little BRAIN is permanently BRUISED.
While his brother currently Hun Sen Terrorist protector..have many many experienced before promoting to the ranking of 'Lieutenant General', he used to fly a 200gram kites and attached with 5 kilograms Grenages. However, it took all of the CPP party members to blow the kites up in the air......unfortunately the grenages landed on SRP protesters in 1997...killing many, Khieu Kanharith said " IT NOT POLITICAL MOTIVED... we only followed AH PM Hun Sen orders ?
Here is what constitution said:
"Article 41 - Khmer citizens shall have freedom of expression, press, publication and assembly. No one shall exercise this right to infringe upon the rights of others, to affect the good traditions of the society, to violate public law and order and national security. The regime of the media shall be determined by law".
People and childrens of Cambodia be aware that flying kites "violate national security" and Hun Sen "Anti-Terrorist, Anti-Communist, Anti-CPP/Hun Sen and anti_freedom laws"?
To 9:05 AM
Right on! Brother!
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