PHNOM PENH (AP) - A leading trade union leader was arrested Monday as thousands of police brought the capital to a virtual standstill during a government clampdown on unauthorized May Day demonstrations, an opposition leader said.
Chea Mony, leader of the Free Trade Union, was arrested by police and detained for two hours on grounds that he was organizing unauthorized demonstrations, said Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition.
Chea Mony, Sam Rainsy and hundreds of workers and FTU members gathered early Monday on Russian Boulevard - a main road into the capital - seeking to march through the city, hold a demonstration at the National Assembly and lay flowers at the Lanka monastery, site of the 2003 assassination of former FTU president Chea Vichea.
Chea Mony had been scheduled to speak at the demonstration.
The government had denied permission for the demonstration, allowing only one official May Day demonstration at Chenla theater, a decision which Sam Rainsy decried as unjust.
"This is the most representative union, this is the most influential union," he told The Associated Press.
"Another, more cooperative, union has the right to hold a meeting in a specific place. Why does this union not have the right?"
The heavy police presence blocked all main roads into the city as police armed with riot shields and batons physically prevented protesters from marching.
Fire trucks were stationed at key intersections in case police decided to use water canons to disperse protesters.
Although no official information could be obtained on the number of police deployed, eyewitness estimates put the figure well into the thousands.
But after negotiations between Sam Rainsy and government authorities, several hundred protesters were allowed to march to the Lanka monastery, FTU headquarters and the National Assembly.
Kem Sokha, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said repression on the part of the government was contrary to democracy.
"The government shows their weakness by not allowing the workers to express their rights," Kem Sokha said.
"It demonstrates the walking back of the democratic process in Cambodia - not allowing workers to march is contrary to the constitution and to the rights of workers."
Hundreds of protesters, using fronds ripped from roadside trees to shield themselves from the unrelenting sun, cheered as trade union workers and Sam Rainsy made speeches through a megaphone.
Khean Srey Mom, a 21-year-old garment worker, said she and many of her colleagues were protesting because they wanted salary increases and rights within the workplace.
"Today, 1 May, is a very significant day for us to demand our rights from factory owners and from the government," she said.
"Cambodia still lacks real democracy, there is no real respect for human rights," he said.
"From what we have seen today, the Cambodian workers are still suppressed by the government."
Chea Mony, leader of the Free Trade Union, was arrested by police and detained for two hours on grounds that he was organizing unauthorized demonstrations, said Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition.
Chea Mony, Sam Rainsy and hundreds of workers and FTU members gathered early Monday on Russian Boulevard - a main road into the capital - seeking to march through the city, hold a demonstration at the National Assembly and lay flowers at the Lanka monastery, site of the 2003 assassination of former FTU president Chea Vichea.
Chea Mony had been scheduled to speak at the demonstration.
The government had denied permission for the demonstration, allowing only one official May Day demonstration at Chenla theater, a decision which Sam Rainsy decried as unjust.
"This is the most representative union, this is the most influential union," he told The Associated Press.
"Another, more cooperative, union has the right to hold a meeting in a specific place. Why does this union not have the right?"
The heavy police presence blocked all main roads into the city as police armed with riot shields and batons physically prevented protesters from marching.
Fire trucks were stationed at key intersections in case police decided to use water canons to disperse protesters.
Although no official information could be obtained on the number of police deployed, eyewitness estimates put the figure well into the thousands.
But after negotiations between Sam Rainsy and government authorities, several hundred protesters were allowed to march to the Lanka monastery, FTU headquarters and the National Assembly.
Kem Sokha, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said repression on the part of the government was contrary to democracy.
"The government shows their weakness by not allowing the workers to express their rights," Kem Sokha said.
"It demonstrates the walking back of the democratic process in Cambodia - not allowing workers to march is contrary to the constitution and to the rights of workers."
Hundreds of protesters, using fronds ripped from roadside trees to shield themselves from the unrelenting sun, cheered as trade union workers and Sam Rainsy made speeches through a megaphone.
Khean Srey Mom, a 21-year-old garment worker, said she and many of her colleagues were protesting because they wanted salary increases and rights within the workplace.
"Today, 1 May, is a very significant day for us to demand our rights from factory owners and from the government," she said.
"Cambodia still lacks real democracy, there is no real respect for human rights," he said.
"From what we have seen today, the Cambodian workers are still suppressed by the government."
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