Union asks to remove some clauses from the demonstration law

Friday, May 8, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodian Federation of Trade Unions (CFTU), asked Heng Samrin, the president of the National Assembly, to remove Points No. 1 and 2 of Articles 14 and 28 of the draft law on peaceful demonstration. In the afternoon of 07 May 2009, Rong Chhun told The Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that, following his review of the draft law, there are some points that do not guarantee the freedom of assembly and expression, furthermore, Article 14 limits the number of people who can assemble. Rong Chhun added: “We don’t want a law that serves those in power. We want this law to be opened for all people to participate, not just limited to one or two persons, but they can assemble by the tens of thousands.” Rong Chhun said that limiting the number of people who can assemble is contrary to the Cambodian Constitution, the supreme law of the land. If the National Assembly does not remove some of the points in Article 14, this law in fact tightens the people’s freedom rights, and people will lose their freedom to participate in a demonstration.