No law banning monks from demonstrating [-Hochimonk TepVong now says that monk's demonstration is against Buddhist law]

Revered Maha Ghosananda leading a Dhammayietra, Walk for Peace, in Cambodia in the early 90s. Based on Non Nget new directive, such action taken by The Holy Maha Ghosananda is now considered as an act creating "disorder." Furthermore, Tep Vong, the former member of the communist politburo of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, claims that monks participation in non-violent demonstration is against Buddhism law. Tep Vong will need to back up his claim by showing Buddha's statement to that effect, otherwise, he is putting words in Buddha's Holy Mouth just like all other servants of the various communist regimes still clinging in the world.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Son Soubert, a member of the Consitutional Council, said that the new directive banning monks from participating in non-violent demonstrations is a violation of the Constitution. Son Soubert told The Cambodia Daily on Sunday that there is no law preventing people or monks from protesting. He added that the ban (issued by the ministry of Cults and Religion and Patriarch Non Nget) is a violation of Cambodia’s Constitution, and he called on the government to make clear its position on this issue. However, on Monday, Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong said that monk’s demonstration is a violation of Buddhism law. Patriarch Non Nget issued a declaration banning monks from demonstrating on Sunday, he said that non-violent demonstration held by monks could create disorder. The directive banning monks from demonstration, dated 08 June, was signed by Khun Haing, the minister of Cults and Religion, and by Non Nget.

Hochimonk Non Nget: No march for peace for monks because Cambodia is already at peace

Monks not allowed to participate in demonstration

Monday, June 25, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Patriarch Non Nget said that the Ministry of Cults and Religion issued a ban for all monks from participating in any form of demonstration. Non Nget said that the June 8 directive issued by the Ministry of Cults and Religion (and also signed by him), called on all monks in the entire country not to participate in non-violent demonstrations because they could create disorder. The Cambodia Daily quoted Non Nget as saying: “We do not allow monks to march for peace because Cambodia is already at peace.” Dr Pung Chiv Kek, Licadho President, said that, according to the Constitution, monks have the same rights to protest as any other laymen. Thach Setha, President of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom community, said that this directive is most likely issued to prevent Khmer Krom monks from participating in demonstrations to demand for human rights respect for Khmer Krom people currently living in Vietnam. Heng Samrin said that this ban is proper because the government want to avoid disorder in the society. He added that his statement is directed towards all monks, and not just towards Khmer Krom monks only.