SRP to commemorate the 1997 grenade attack

(Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

23 March 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The SRP plans to organize a commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the grenade attack which took place in front of the National Assembly on 30 March. This is the 13th anniversary of the 1997 attack when four grenades were thrown on demonstrators who were demanding for justice and democracy. The demonstration was led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy and it resulted in 20 deaths and more than 100 injured. In a letter sent to Kep Chuktema, the Phnom Penh city governor, to ask for the authorization to organize the commemoration, Mrs. Ker Sovannaroth, SRP Secretary-general, indicated that on 30 March, the SRP will organize a commemoration for the victims of the 30 March grenade attack. 400 people, including Buddhist monks, plan to join the commemoration. Up to yesterday, the SRP had not receive the authorization from the city yet, however, Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the ministry of Interior, told the Phnom Penh Post over the phone that the government will not ban the commemoration for the victims if an authorization was sent to the local authority.

SRP to honour victims of 1997 grenade attack

Mrs. Ke Sovannroth, SRP Secretary-general (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

Friday, 18 September 2009
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

THE Kingdom’s main opposition party has invited monks to a special ceremony today to honour Cambodians who sacrificed their lives fighting for political freedom.

Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker and Secretary General Ke Sovannroth said the party planned to gather 200 people for the ceremony in which 12 monks will be invited to pray for the dead. She said the SRP holds a similar ceremony every year. “We hold this ceremony every year, both on March 30 and on Pchum Ben day,” Ke Sovannroth said.

On March 30, 1997, at least 16 people were killed and another 100 injured during an opposition-led demonstration in front of the former National Assembly building. Four grenades were thrown into a crowd. No one has ever been held responsible or punished by the Cambodian justice system for the crimes.

“The ceremony … is to remind people to be grateful for [the victims’] patriotism, because they sacrificed their lives to demand freedom and democracy,” Ke Sovannroth said.

“We want politicians not to forget those who struggled for freedom and justice.”

Government officials said they would not interfere with the ceremony. Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said: “Our obligation is to uphold the law, strengthen public discipline and find killers.”

Earlier this year, the NGO Human Rights Watch criticised the fact that no one has ever been brought to trial for the fatal 1997 attack. A spokesman called it an “open wound in Cambodia”.

Sam Rainsy: 12 years on and still no trace of the assassins

Victims of the 30 March 1997 grenade attack

Monday, March 30, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy declared on the 12th anniversary of the memorial for the victims of the 30 March 1997 grenade attack perpetrated in front of the National Assembly, that only 12 victims were identified among the 16 victims who died and more than 100 others who were injured from this attack. Sam Rainsy indicated that 12 years has passed, but the assassins and their backers are not found yet, this is a very long wait for justice by the patient family of the victims. At the same time, Sam Rainsy also demanded that the government investigates into this crime in order to reveal the assassins and their backers, and bring these criminals to face justice for the victims’ sake.