"I will not applaud this freedom park because it is a signal that Cambodia is limiting... the people's freedom": Rong Chhun

Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema (right) greets well-wishers as he arrives for the inauguration ceremony of Democracy Square in downtown Phnom Penh, Cambodia. -- PHOTO: AP

'Freedom Park' opens

Nov 4, 2010
AFP

PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIA unveiled its first designated protest site in the capital on Thursday, in the face of rights groups' fears that Democracy Square is designed to keep dissenters isolated and out of sight.

'We are furthering democracy in Cambodia,' Phnom Penh governor Kep Chuktema said at the opening ceremony of the site, which is nicknamed Freedom Park and modelled on international examples such as Speakers' Corner in London.

He appealed to would-be protesters to freely voice their concerns at the 60 by 200 metre open space near the US embassy and the capital's famed Wat Phnom temple, which historically marks the centre of the city.

But rights activists fear the new square will keep protesters off the streets and away from government offices and legislative buildings - traditionally the focus of rallies.

'I will not applaud this freedom park because it is a signal that Cambodia is limiting... the people's freedom,' said Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions.

While protesters can still apply for a permit to demonstrate in other parts of the capital, Rong Chhun fears authorities would use the park as an excuse to withhold permission.

Gov’t suspends Khmer Amatak newspaper

08 October 2007
By Phan Sophat
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Ministry of Information (MoInf) issued an order on Monday to suspend the publication of Khmer Amatak (Eternal Khmer), a local newspaper supporting Prince Norodom Ranariddh, based on a complaint from Nhiek Bun Chhay, Funcinpec party secretary-general.

In a declaration issued by Khieu Kanharith, the minister of information, the MoInf had decided to suspend the publication of Khmer Amatak for 30-day, but he did not provide any clear reason on this suspension.

Today, Khieu Kanharith could not be contacted to confirm about this issue.

Bun Tha, the editor of Khmer Amatak newspaper, told RFA that he already received the declaration letter from the MoInf. He said that the accusation leveled against his newspaper was political.

Bun Tha said: “The court did not even summon me yet, and the MoInf already suspended me. I must be judged first, if I lose it’s a personal problem, I could pay damage compensation, but the suspension is a violation of the freedom right, just like in Burma. I praise Burma, they allow their people to have their opinion, to have the right to demonstrate. [In Cambodia], because I speak up, they shut me down, they don’t allow me to speak up, this is a serious right violation in Cambodia, currently. Democracy is only on the tongue, but when it comes to application of the law, the law is not being used.”

Khmer Amatak is a pro-Ranariddh newspaper, and it recently published a number of articles criticizing the Funcinpec party in which Nhiek Bun Chhay is its secretary-general.

In a letter sent by Nhiek Bun Chhay to Khieu Kanharith requesting the suspension of Khmer Amatak, he accused the newspaper of publishing articles affecting his honor, and that of Funcinpec, by publishing that he (Nhiek Bun Chhay) is suspected on involvement in drug trafficking following the seizure by the authority of several tons of raw material for producing drugs in Kampong Speu, and the newspaper also criticized Nhiek Bun Chhay of stealing the achievements of Prince Ranariddh, etc…

Thun Saray, Director of the Adhoc human rights organization, said that the decision issued by the MoInf shows a bad sign: “This is a worrying case when a government leader can order the suspension of a newspaper like this. In the future, this could serve as a precedent for a bad habit, and it could affect the press freedom right of reporters in general. This does not affect just newspapers, it could affect radio stations also. Therefore, it could affect the freedom of expression of the public in general.”

The suspension order of Khmer Amatak newspaper comes at a time when political and legal pressures are being applied on Prince Ranariddh who is currently living abroad, with the aim of forcing him to return back home to participate in next year’s general election.

'Culture of Fear' Pervades Assembly, Group Finds

Thida Win, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
04/07/2007

The Center for Social Development said Tuesday it was concerned over "deteriorating freedom speech" and "troubling self-censorship" in the National Assembly, following a month observing the nation's lawmaking body.

Six observers monitored the National Assembly between March 21 and June 26, finding that parliamentarians who spoke out over the country's ills were shouted down by ruling party representatives.

Members from Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party who criticized the Assembly, the government or draft laws under debate were "effectively silenced" and reprimanded for "disrespecting internal regulations" and "wasting time," the Center said in a statement.

Some draft laws offered up by members not of the Cambodian People's Party were "completely rejected," the Center said.

"Due to the National Assembly's routine silencing and intimidation of parliamentarians who oppose the current government's agenda, it has stifled its own internal debate and imposed a culture of fear and self-censorship," the Center said.

National Assembly President Heng Samrin, from the ruling party, said the group's findings "cannot be accepted." "The National Assembly does not restrict anything," he said. "Having freedom and democracy means there is expression of opinion. But you speak on the subject and speak correctly according to the given time.

The National Assembly does not pressure [anyone], does not oppress freedom."

CPP legislator Chiem Yeap called the findings "destructive criticism."

But the Center's executive director, Seng Theary, said her monitors found that "courageous people" went unprotected in the Assembly.

Ruling party lawmakers "should not dismiss those opinions, and should not think that this is an opposition party, a royalist party, any party," she said.

Of the National Assembly's 123 seats, the CPP holds 73, Funcinpec 26 and SRP 24.