Cambodia: Rally Barred on Women’s Day [-Hun Xen scared of the Jasmine revolution in Cambodia?]

Government Fails to Explain Ban on 100th Anniversary

March 8, 2011
Source:Human Rights Wath

"Refusing women the right to rally peacefully reflects the government's distrust its people," said Adams. "The Cambodian government's creeping dictatorial rule should be of real concern to the country's donors."

"The government’s refusal to allow an International Women’s Day rally first seemed like a joke. But no Cambodian government restriction on basic rights should come as a surprise anymore." - Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

(New York) - The Cambodian government should reverse its decision to refuse a permit to the Cambodian Women's Movement Organization (CWMO) for a rally in central Phnom Penh, Human Rights Watch said today. The rally was intended to mark the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day on March 8, 2011.

The government failed to provide any reason for its rejection of a permit in a March 7, 2011 letter from Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chutema to the CWMO. Speakers and a celebration were planned. Minister of Women's Affairs Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi had previously agreed to speak at the event, but when the permit was denied, she said she was no longer available to attend.

"The government's refusal to allow an International Women's Day rally first seemed like a joke," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "But no Cambodian government restriction on basic rights should come as a surprise anymore."

Sam Rainsy Party Seeks Protections of Freedom of Expression in the Penal Code

Sam Rainsy Party Seeks Protections of Freedom of Expression in the Penal Code

September 30, 2009
Source: SRP

PHNOM PENH – September 30 – Starting 1 October, 2009, Members of Parliament the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) will join the parliamentary debate on the current draft of the Penal Code, which has been passed by the Cambodian Council of Ministers, but must still be approved by the National Assembly.

The SRP welcomes efforts to reform the Penal Code, and recognizes many positive provisions. However, the current draft Code unduly restricts freedom of speech and assembly, the most fundamental of civil liberties. These freedoms allow for participation and creativity at a time when finding solutions to poverty, unemployment, land conflicts, corruption and other critical national issues should be the first priority of the Government. When lawmakers, NGO workers, journalists, trade unionists, villagers and others are not able to freely debate new ideas and challenge the status quo, development is restricted.

The SRP is particularly concerned about the surge in criminal prosecutions for defamation and disinformation against peaceful critics of the Government over the past six months that have attracted the attention of national and international sources. Based on the above facts, SRP strongly urges that articles related to defamation and insult be removed from the Draft Penal Code. SRP recommends and welcomes a new draft law on these issues or include them in the current Civil Code through amendments.

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