LICADHO, ADHOC & CCHR are shocked and condemn the deployment of mixed forces used to crack down on a peaceful demonstration by monks on the morning of February 27, 2006 in Phnom Penh near the Vietnamese embassy.

52 Khmer Kampuchea Krom monks had planned to gather in front of the Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh to demand the reversal of a decision made last Saturday by Vietnamese authorities to defrock three monks who allegedly took part in a Khmer Krom demonstration in Southern Vietnam. Today’s initiative was part of a bigger campaign taking place in several countries throughout the world to protest the defrocking.

LICADHO, ADHOC and CCHR deplores yet another restriction on freedom of peaceful assembly in Cambodia and denounces the unnecessary deployment of police and the anti-riot unit who came armed with shields, tear gas, electric batons and guns. This unjustified display of force has a chilling affect on Cambodian civil society and goes against the commitment and responsibilities of the Royal Government of Cambodia as a country which has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Although we are relieved this morning situation was eventually resolved without violence, LICADHO, ADHOC and CCHR calls for a swift change in attitude by the local authorities and the government to cease its attempts to silence the voices of critics throughout the country. Like all Cambodians, monks have the right to express their opinions and gather peacefully. We hope that monks who participated in this morning’s protest will not face any recriminations from religious or state authorities.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Kek Galabru, Cambodian League for the Promotion & Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), 012 940 645
▪ Thun Sary, Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), 016 880 509
▪ Ou Virak, Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), 012 404 051

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