CAMBODIA-HUMAN RIGHTS/NGO-PROTEST Cambodian rights groups, NGO members protest against new law

Record ID: 147368

  • Title: CAMBODIA-HUMAN RIGHTS/NGO-PROTEST Cambodian rights groups, NGO members protest against new law
  • Date: 13th July 2015
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS DANCING TO A PROTEST SONG
  • Embargoed: 28th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cambodia
  • Country: Cambodia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA26RV5MXWE7NCBAWLMXMAEQKZG
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: About 300 protesters from Cambodian rights groups and non-governmental organisations gathered on Monday (July 13) in Phnom Penh to protest against a new law that would limited their freedoms.
    The controversial law, which shackles rights groups in the country with strict rules crafted without any public consultation, was unanimously pushed through on Monday by the ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPP)'s lawmakers.
    Demonstrators wearing black t-shirts and covered in protest stickers sang protest songs in front of a riot police barricade blocking them from reaching the National Assembly building.
    "We support good laws, but if they make laws that cut off our freedom and weaken the path to strengthening democracy, we oppose those laws," said Hok Socheat, a member of Cambodian Human Rights NGO, Licadho.
    Rights groups said the law shows how the government feels threatened by their growing clout.
    "We are in the middle of the problem of forced eviction from our homes. Because they cut off our freedom to protest, that is why we are here, united to protest (and) demand our freedom to create associations, freedom of speech, and we demand that the National Assembly drop these NGO laws, but we face the riot policemen blocking us from entering the National Assembly building," shouted Meas Sreymom, a member of Railway Station Association, a group that formed after they were threatened with eviction due a railway line's development.
    International rights groups and Western nations have been alarmed by the determination of the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled the country for nearly three decades, to ram through the new law.
    They fear the measure would impede the work of 5,000 foreign and Cambodian non-government organisations.
    The move will come as no surprise to critics of Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP), who have accused it of constantly abusing its power by prompting authorities, such as judges, the police and military, to stifle opponents.
    He has accused NGOs of acting irresponsibly, including supporting the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which is now challenging the CPP's dominance.
    The new law aims to prevent the funding of "terrorism", Hun Sen says, but his government has not said if such a threat exists.
    The 55 members of opposition party boycotted the National Assembly vote.
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