STATEMENT
VICTIMS OF GRENADE ATTACK REMEMBERED
VICTIMS OF GRENADE ATTACK REMEMBERED
On the eve of the 11 th anniversary of the deadly grenade attack in front of the old National Assembly building (March 30, 1997), the Sam Rainsy Party pays homage to all the victims who were brave enough to speak their minds to people more powerful than they. We continue our long-standing appeal that the investigation into responsibility for the murders moves forward so that justice can be obtained for the victims and their families.
Eleven years ago on the morning of March 30, some 200 demonstrators, comprised mainly of female garment factory workers, took part in the SRP-led demonstration to demand reform of the corrupt and politicized judicial system in Cambodia . Thirty minutes after the demonstration started, four grenades were tossed into the demonstrating crowd, killing 16 people and wounding more than 150, including Ron Abney, the then Country Director of the International Republican Institute, a US-based organization working in support of democratic reforms in Cambodia. Because this injury was sustained by an American citizen, the FBI investigated the attack, specifically looking into whether it occurred in cooperation with the government's police force. Eleven years later, the Cambodian government declares that "the grenade attack dossier is still open and not yet closed." But the investigation is not moving forward. Eleven years later, justice has not been rendered to the victims, leaving the survivors to question the government's sincerity and wondering whether justice will ever be done for them and their love ones.
The Sam Rainsy Party appeals to the FBI to reopen its investigation in order to ensure that the criminals and the mastermind of this crime not escape justice, and to promote respect for the rule of law in Cambodia. In the meantime, the Sam Rainsy Party wishes to reassure voters as well as all the victims and their families that it will stand by its commitment to the systematic reform of the corrupt Cambodian judicial system. The Party continues to voice support for reform as in the opposition, but would be in a position to enact change if given the chance in the upcoming national election.
SRP Secretariat
Eleven years ago on the morning of March 30, some 200 demonstrators, comprised mainly of female garment factory workers, took part in the SRP-led demonstration to demand reform of the corrupt and politicized judicial system in Cambodia . Thirty minutes after the demonstration started, four grenades were tossed into the demonstrating crowd, killing 16 people and wounding more than 150, including Ron Abney, the then Country Director of the International Republican Institute, a US-based organization working in support of democratic reforms in Cambodia. Because this injury was sustained by an American citizen, the FBI investigated the attack, specifically looking into whether it occurred in cooperation with the government's police force. Eleven years later, the Cambodian government declares that "the grenade attack dossier is still open and not yet closed." But the investigation is not moving forward. Eleven years later, justice has not been rendered to the victims, leaving the survivors to question the government's sincerity and wondering whether justice will ever be done for them and their love ones.
The Sam Rainsy Party appeals to the FBI to reopen its investigation in order to ensure that the criminals and the mastermind of this crime not escape justice, and to promote respect for the rule of law in Cambodia. In the meantime, the Sam Rainsy Party wishes to reassure voters as well as all the victims and their families that it will stand by its commitment to the systematic reform of the corrupt Cambodian judicial system. The Party continues to voice support for reform as in the opposition, but would be in a position to enact change if given the chance in the upcoming national election.
SRP Secretariat
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