Cambodia-Americans protested in front of Cambodian Embassy in Washington DCBy Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
02 December 2009
Supporters of opposition leader Sam Rainsy demonstrated in front of the Cambodian Embassy in Washington Saturday, upset over recent criminal charges against him and the suspension of his parliamentary immunity.
Nearly 100 protesters met around 10:30 am, carrying placards in support of Sam Rainsy, who faces charges for allegedly inciting villagers in Svay Rieng province to pull border markers from the ground.
Sam Rainsy has said the villagers were upset at perceived Vietnamese encroachment onto their rice fields.
One banner read, “No Sam Rainsy Immunity, No Democracy.” Others showed figures in Vietnamese-style hats embracing and biting Cambodia.
“This non-violent demonstration shows that Cambodians are against the stripping of Sam Rainsy’s immunity, pressure on democracy in Cambodia and the loss of Cambodian territory,” said Chhan Touch, an organizer of the protest.
Demonstrators were not met by embassy officials.
“We are very upset that we have an embassy in this country,” said a protester named Men Vannak. “It is supposed to respond to the people’s call for help. But now no one came out to take our petition. We are very upset.”
Embassy officials could not be immediately reached for comment. At least one figure appeared to be filming the demonstration from an embassy window.
Chhan Touch said he would continue to communicate with the embassy and would try to send the petition by e-mail.
Sam Rainsy addressed the protesters, from France, via a telephone amplified by a megaphone.
“Our brothers and sisters in Washington, DC, are protesting to show a spirit of nationalism and support for democracy,” he said. “I am happy and excited…. I am not scared… A million thanks, and goodbye for now.”
Demonstrators replied with cries of “Long live Sam Rainsy!”
Reached in Cambodia, Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said Sam Rainsy’s policies aimed at inciting unrest and creating a conflict between Cambodia and Vietnam.
He praised a recent request by Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay requesting government officials to appear before the National Assembly to be questioned over border issues.
Cambodia’s relationship with Vietnam is politically difficult. The Vietnamese ousted the Khmer Rouge, in 1979, but then undertook a decade-long occupation that rankles many Cambodians today.
Sam Rainsy supporters were angered by the removal of his immunity by the National Assembly on Nov. 16, less than two weeks after Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called on the Cambodian government to take “due measures” in dealing with the opposition leader’s alleged role in the border marker event.
Sam Rainsy has called the suspension proof of Cambodia’s inferior position to Vietnam.
Nguon Nhel, vice president of the National Assembly, denied the allegation.
“The Cambodian government was not frightened by the Vietnamese government,” he said by phone from Cambodia. “The border demarcation was decided on by a committee from both countries. If any lawmaker or committee has questions about the border, they have the right to invite the concerned government officials for questioning by the National Assembly or by committee.”
Nearly 100 protesters met around 10:30 am, carrying placards in support of Sam Rainsy, who faces charges for allegedly inciting villagers in Svay Rieng province to pull border markers from the ground.
Sam Rainsy has said the villagers were upset at perceived Vietnamese encroachment onto their rice fields.
One banner read, “No Sam Rainsy Immunity, No Democracy.” Others showed figures in Vietnamese-style hats embracing and biting Cambodia.
“This non-violent demonstration shows that Cambodians are against the stripping of Sam Rainsy’s immunity, pressure on democracy in Cambodia and the loss of Cambodian territory,” said Chhan Touch, an organizer of the protest.
Demonstrators were not met by embassy officials.
“We are very upset that we have an embassy in this country,” said a protester named Men Vannak. “It is supposed to respond to the people’s call for help. But now no one came out to take our petition. We are very upset.”
Embassy officials could not be immediately reached for comment. At least one figure appeared to be filming the demonstration from an embassy window.
Chhan Touch said he would continue to communicate with the embassy and would try to send the petition by e-mail.
Sam Rainsy addressed the protesters, from France, via a telephone amplified by a megaphone.
“Our brothers and sisters in Washington, DC, are protesting to show a spirit of nationalism and support for democracy,” he said. “I am happy and excited…. I am not scared… A million thanks, and goodbye for now.”
Demonstrators replied with cries of “Long live Sam Rainsy!”
Reached in Cambodia, Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said Sam Rainsy’s policies aimed at inciting unrest and creating a conflict between Cambodia and Vietnam.
He praised a recent request by Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay requesting government officials to appear before the National Assembly to be questioned over border issues.
Cambodia’s relationship with Vietnam is politically difficult. The Vietnamese ousted the Khmer Rouge, in 1979, but then undertook a decade-long occupation that rankles many Cambodians today.
Sam Rainsy supporters were angered by the removal of his immunity by the National Assembly on Nov. 16, less than two weeks after Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called on the Cambodian government to take “due measures” in dealing with the opposition leader’s alleged role in the border marker event.
Sam Rainsy has called the suspension proof of Cambodia’s inferior position to Vietnam.
Nguon Nhel, vice president of the National Assembly, denied the allegation.
“The Cambodian government was not frightened by the Vietnamese government,” he said by phone from Cambodia. “The border demarcation was decided on by a committee from both countries. If any lawmaker or committee has questions about the border, they have the right to invite the concerned government officials for questioning by the National Assembly or by committee.”
15 comments:
Khmer must continue to practice this demand for justice. No demand, no justice.
I hope this is just the begining of all khmer to voices their feeling, support for our beloved homeland and people.
Soon, those in the government will run out of " cheap excuses " !
pouk ah chhkout... pouk ah lop...
8:41AM,
look who talking. LOL
"No Sam Rainsy Immunity, No Democracy"
But that doesn't mean Cambodia is Democracy because of Sam Rainsy's Immunity.
9:06AM,
Sam Rainsy should not take the law in his own hands. He is stupid and the same as his father Sam Sary.
Democracy, means all of us have to respect the rule of the game. As a westerner well educator and a Cambodian law maker, Mr. Sam Raingsy need to practice the country's law and not his personal emotion.
Sam Rainsy is a hero of khmer. he's a very best form for khmer people, heng samrin chea sim and hunsen chea choun kbot cheat, you know a chief of national essemly got another wife as vietnames girl and got two children, may got destroy you soon pouk kbot cheat as same as ah youn hooklangdee, sathu.
GREAT JOB!!!
PEOPLE NEEDS TO DO THIS EVERYDAY---EVEN IF THERE'S ONLY ONE OR 100 PEOPLE, THIS SHOWS THAT KHMER ABOARD CARES!!!
Nguon Nhel is a f*cking liar. Son Chhay from the SRP already already made that request but todate none of the border demarcation committee members comes out to clarify why the ground reality is way different what Cambodia should look likes on the paper map. So this shows that ah Nguon Nhel is a f*cking liar. Ah Nguon Nhel needs to be deported to Hanoi so that he can live out his life there by adopting the Viet dog meat eating habits.
FOR THOSE ABOVE WHO TALKS ABOUT LAW IN CAMBODIA:
THERE IS CONSTITION IN CAMBODIA BUT YOUR GOVERNMENT DID NOT IMPLEMENT ON IT. RATHER THEY USED THE LAW TO MAXIMUM PUNISHED THE OPPOSITION AND THE CITIZENS WHO OPPOSE THEM.
HOW MANY SRP ACTIVIST ABUSED, JAILED, HARRASTED, AND KILLED WITHIN THIS DECADE?
HAVE ANY OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OR SLAVE EVER GOT CONFICTED?
SO THE PEOPLE YOU SHOULD TALK ABOUT LAW TO IS YOUR GOVERNMENT AND YOUR MASTER AH XEN!
THERE IS NO LAW IN CAMBODIA. IT'S ALL HUN XEN'S RULES. JUSTICE ONLY SERVED AH HUN XEN'S DOGS...
That's right 10:29, in fact Hor NamB*atch even said that Hun Sen and others had the right not to explain the demarcation process to anyone. What the hell does that mean? In this way, Nguon Nhel is just a typical LIAR just like his YOUN masters. Remember the line or lying from the YOUNs in the 80's? It goes like this: Why do you YOUNs refuse to leave Cambodia? The YOUNs say we stay to protect Cambodians from the indiscriminate killings of the Khmer Rouge. So why didn't YOU YOUNs dealt a final blow to the Khmer Rouge forces after you took over Cambodia? The YOUNs say, well it is a political purposes to occupy Cambodia. A-ha. So you YOUNs came to occupy Cambodia for your stinky selves? The YOUNs say yes that is true because who can deny the fact that the Viets had stayed in Cambodia for over 10 long years. So Nguon Nhel is a servant of the Viets.
9:28AM,What law? The citizens been file complains for decades and nothing has been done!
I agree with 10:29AM, 10:34 and
10: 35AM.
9:28AM, The constitution should be above all including the highest officials. Tthe law in Cambodia only above the opposition and poor citizens but under CPP.
Imagine Hun Xen rape your mom and your sister in front of you and your dad and your grandparents grave. Do you really think the Cambodian court will prosecute Hun Xen. Instead Hun Xen will successfully counter sued you for defamation. You know it!
Look at Mrs. Mu Sochua case. Her case is clearly a civil case between Hun Xen. Therefore, legally they can not strip her immunity. But they did! Where is the law?
Mr. Ho Vann case, his immunity was strip for citicising the fake PhD degree from Viet for the hihgh military official. Everyone knows it is true those degree are given not earn. Therefore it is meaningless like Mr. Ho Vann said. Where is the law.
Mr. Sam Rainsy is elected representative for Cambodian by Cambodan people. His immunity was also strip for doing his job, defending Cambodian victims.
Enough said, either you pretend to be smart or you just plain stupid to really think there's true Constitution in Cambodia. Or you are one of the idiot who support CPP and critics everything on whoever oppose your uinjustice government.
The border was agree by both country. Wrong!
The border was agree by Viet and CPP. The government never consult of this border situation. Instead they will silence anyway they can to stop citizens from asking, including the opposition party.
The 1985 map is only drawn to benefit Viet. This map should not accounable for true Cambodia border.
10:34AM,
I totally agree! The law in Cambodia only above the poor citizen. Nevermind the high government officials, the law is also under villager chief as long as they are CPP.
How many people got punished and kill for legally defending their farm land? "HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND VICTIMS."
How many of the government, low and hight got convicted? NONE!
WHERE IS THE LAW? WHERE IS THE CONSTITUTION?
Ngoun Nhel is a f*king cheap and a crumpy old man. A couple years ago, he came to the state of WA. He was gambling next to me at Muckleshoot Indian Casino. He's stingy, has very bad breath, cheap, and no tips for dealers. Maybe those dealers are Cambodian. He bet $100, 200, and 500 a hand. He came with his wife. People told me he's vi-pres of the assebly of Cambodia. I thought to myself? Oh my God! A guy with his position go gambling like this. No wounder he needs to be a Vietcong slave forever, so he can get more money from dirt poor Cambodian poeple for his gambling addiction....!
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