(Photo CCHR)The march comes a day after Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy returned home after a year in self-imposed exile in France, promising to work with the government.
Among the more than 100 protestors, were a journalist and a union leader arrested last year in an internationally condemned crackdown for defamation, a criminal offence in Cambodia.
Last month they were released on bail and later the prime minister ordered the courts to drop all defamation charges against them.
But the courts can continue investigating for three years, meaning the activists could be re-arrested at any time.
The following is a report posted by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)
More than 100 human rights activists, monks and concerned supporters begin their three-day 50-kilometer march in Cambodia today to call and demand for freedom of expression and non-violence in Cambodia. The march kicked off at around 8:30 a.m. after a press conference at Wat Phnom, a popular tourist place in Phnom Penh capital.
The recently released human rights activists – Mr. Kem Sokha, Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) President; Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, CCHR’s Voice of Democracy Director; Mr. Rong Chhun, Cambodian Independent Teachers Association president; and Mr. Mam Sonando, Radio Beehive FM105 MHz radio station owner-manager; including Chea Mony, Free Trade Union president who returned to Cambodia February 3 after being promised that he will not be jailed by the government – and Mr. Ou Virak, secretary general of Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC), which organized the activity, presented to the media the purpose of the march.
The human rights activists explained that the march will demonstrate the ongoing need and support for freedom of expression in Cambodia and to demand for the immediate and unconditional dropping of charges and the de-criminalization of defamation laws.
After the press conference, the human rights activists led the march, followed by around 30 monks, AFEC members and their supporters. Banners with printed texts in Khmer and English were carried by marchers displayed on their sides. The marchers also carried large replica of yellow ribbon made of Styrofoam which is made as a symbol for freedom of expression in Cambodia.
The texts on banners read: “May the spirit of tolerance be always with us,” “Cambodian people must choose dialogue over violence,” “The Cambodian leaders should be open to constructive criticisms without intimidation,” “Criminal defamation must be abolished,” and “We demand and support freedom of expression in Cambodia.”
The march organizers said they will walk 18 kilometers today and spend overnight at a pagoda in Prey Pran village, Krous commune, Ponhea Leu district, Kandal province.
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