Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Parade to mark slain unionist

Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Written by Meas Sokchea The Phnom Penh Post
Organisers still waiting for municipal approval.

THE Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) on Monday issued a press release calling for public participation in a commemorative parade scheduled for January 22, marking the day in 2004 that union leader Chea Vichea was killed in Phnom Penh.

"Chea Vichea did so much work for our nation, particularly by demanding more freedom and better conditions for the Kingdom's workers," Rong Chhun, president of the CCU, said in the press release.

He said Chea Vichea remains a potent symbol for many Cambodians, who honour his memory each year for sacrificing his life for the nation.

"We informed municipal authorities a week ago of our intention to hold this ceremony, but they have not yet responded. But we plan to go ahead with the event," said Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the brother of Chea Vichea.

Chea Mony said he expected about 300 people, including civil society groups and some politicians, to participate in the parade.

The event will start at the headquarters of the trade union in Phnom Penh's Boeung Keng Kang 3 district and end at the site of Chea Vichea's assassination near Langka pagoda, the press release stated.

Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema could not be reached for comment on Monday, but Deputy Governor Pa Socheatevong said he could not provide details about whether the event would be approved by authorities.

The two men convicted of Chea Vichea's murder have been released pending a retrial.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I quest he was killed by people with people not the government did it.I just would like to said some khmer people still Hatting,Jealousing,Racing for each other.They made problem and they blam to the government.If the khmer government don't like khmer people so how come they working hard for khmer people? They work hard to make Cambodia country growing up from year to year.
Just take a look Cambodia country in the past and situation so which one of khmer regime building up of Cambodia country?

Anonymous said...

Sihanouk regime.

Karaoke, Brothels etc...is not part of building a nation.