Comfrel, Nicfec, CHRAC, ACSK and YCC would like to express our deepest regret about the recent violent demonstration in Phnom Penh that led to looting and destruction of privately owned businesses. This event was an act of discrimination and cultural conflict and sadly, some had political gain from this tragedy. The riots created negative effects on national security, political and economic stability (i.e. foreign investment and the quality of life for the people); lost of national budget revenue, severely damaged regional relations and several grave human rights occurred as well.

This event has also affected the process of encouraging democracy in Cambodia. The right to express opinions, gathering for non-violent demonstrations, and the security for the process of organizing the third mandate parliamentary elections, which are schedule to be held on July 27, 2003 were all threaten by the violent demonstration. To begin with, the dissemination of information about the upcoming national election especially in regards to voter registration was low before this event. Moreover, political parties and people fear expressing their opinions, participating in public gatherings and organizing non-violent demonstrations. It seems as though every activity and issue related to the election has met severe obstacles that are intended to cause difficulties.

We have noted some of the reasons that lead to this event as follows:

1. The authority failed to take measure and obstruct the violence riot immediately, and on time, in order to provide full security.

2. Lack of transparency and the participation of organizing a discussion to solve problems when there were irregularity in the national and international level.

3. The dissemination of false information from some media sources and an imbalance of media use in order to serve political interest.

According to the above reasons, civil society organizations would like to give some recommendation to the Royal Government of Cambodia as follows:

a. There should be evaluation and reform of security mechanisms in order to strengthen the security and public order and human rights respect.

b. Judiciary reform should be high priority and the state of law in Cambodia should be made effective.

c. There should be an investigation to find the criminals, those who cooperated with the criminals, and those who stand behind the criminals. These people must be arrested and sent to the court to be prosecuted accordingly.

d. There should be an immediate discussion, conducted with complete transparency, on the important national conflicts and the participation of statesmen concerned.

e. The government should encourage non-violence solutions and base on law. In addition, the government should seek to increase a good relationship between the government and the people in the region, especially between the two-countries_ Cambodia and Thailand.

The civil society organizations would like to appeal all citizens, students, intellectuals, teachers, professors, and civil servants to respect and encourage unity, cooperation, and the understanding between the neighboring citizens. Most importantly, citizens must use their own rights in order to determine the future of the country in particular, through participating in the national election, to choose leaders who could solve the problem of the nation fairly and with non-violence.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Mr. Phuong Sith Second representative of Comfrel 012 979 343
▪ Ms. Pong Chhivkek President of board director of Nicfec 012 802 506
▪ Mr. Muong sophal, Secretariat chief of CHRAC 012 934 867
▪ Mr. Koul Panha Executive director of Comfrel 012 942 017
▪ Mr. Hang Puthea Executive director of Nicfec 012 959 666
▪ Mr. Yeng Virak Executive director of CLEC 012 801 235
▪ Mr. Yab Metha Representative of Star Kampuchea 012 875 701
▪ Mr. Yong Kim Eng Representative of YCC 016 828 211

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