Pro-Democracy Groups Join Chorus of Condemnation on Burma

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
28 September 2007

Opposition leaders from Cambodia gathered in front of the Burma Embassy in Phnom Penh Friday to join in international condemnation of a crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Burma.

Fifty local and international organizations joined members of the Human Rights and Sam Rainsy parties to express outrage at the Burmese junta, which began using force for the first time Thursday to stop demonstrations sparked by rising gasoline prices in the military dictatorship.

"We are against the violence that is going on in Burma and support the Burmese activists," Center for Social Development Executive Director Seng Theary told the gathered crowd.

"Coming here, in front of the Burmese Embassy, the Human Rights Party shows a position in support of the Burmese people who peacefully demonstrate, condemning the Burmese government's use of violence against monks and the Burmese people," said Keo Remy, vice president of the Human Rights Party.

The US has condemned the Burmese junta's use of force in suppressing ongoing demonstrations in Cambodia's Asean neighbor.

In general Asean members have an agreement not to interfere in each other's internal affairs.

When in needs, the Human Rights Party calls on human rights organizations to help provide good protection to its activists

HRP activist threatened in Kompong Chhnang

23 July 2007
By Keo Nimol
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The chairman of the HRP in Kompong Chhnang declared on 23 July that the CPP Daun Viet village chief threatened members of his party who participated in the party’s congress on 22 July in Phnom Penh.

Um Sarom, chairman of the HRP branch in Kompong Leng district, Kompong Chhnang province, accused Uk Soeun, the Daun Viet village chief located in Kompong Hav commune, Kompong Leng district, Kompong Chhnang province, of threatening the life of three HRP members who traveled to attend the party congress in Phnom Penh. The 3 HRP members are now very concerned.

Um Sarom said: “At 6:00AM, on 23 July, Un Soeun, the CPP Daun Viet village chief, threatened three of my party activists who are: Ty Horn, Chum Hel, and Ou Khoeun. He said that: ‘The two or three of you should be shot in the middle of the chest, you went somewhere and you didn’t tell me.’ My activists were wearing the HRP T-shirts from the party congress yesterday. Therefore, I am complaining to national and international organizations, all human rights NGOs, to help resolve this issue, and to help provide good protection to HRP activists in Kompong Leng district, or in the entire province of Kompong Chhnang, from the ruling party which is putting pressure on the HRP such as what has just happened.”

CPP village chief Uk Soeun rejected this accusation by declaring that he did not threaten the three activists as Um Sarom claimed. He only reminded his villagers to let him know on their whereabouts because he is the village chief.

Uk Soeun said: “I did not threaten them, I only said people … this morning where did you go? I heard from the police and the military police they came to ask me of your whereabouts, I was surprised that you went somewhere without letting me know. If you go and nothing happen to you, it’s fine, but if something happens to you, I could be accused of not knowing the whereabouts of the people, and allowing them to have accidents. I only said that, I did not say anything else… They have the rights to join any party, I cannot force them.”

Regarding this dispute, Sam Chankea, director of the Adhoc human rights organization branch in Kompong Chhnang said that he is investigating this issue.

Kem Sokha’s HRP party held its party congress at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday 22 July, with the participation of several thousands of people. This is the first party congress where the leadership of the party was announced: Kem Sokha as the party president, and the party has three vice-presidents: Pen Sovann, Keo Remy, and Kiet Sokun.