The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 local NGOs, is deeply disturbed and very concerned about the crackdown by Cambodian armed forces on a peaceful demonstration in front of the National Assembly on May 21 at 9:30 AM.

The demonstration was held by people coming from Kompong Chhnang province, Kandal province and Phnom Penh in an attempt to protest the removal of parliamentary immunity planned by the Permanent Committee of the National Assembly of H.E Cheam Channy, a member of parliament elected in Battambang province.

According to CHRAC’s own observations, the crackdown on the demonstration was conducted by the Chamcarmon district police and the Phnom Penh police commissariat. The reports indicate that the authorities were given order to use electric batons to disperse the demonstrators. Information was also received that demonstrators were threatened with arrest and serious physical harm. According to reports, 13 persons were injured as a result of the crackdown, two of them with serious wounds.

According to article 37 and 41 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia which guarantees people to conduct peaceful demonstration within the framework of the law, CHRAC supports every peaceful demonstration and condemns the crackdown by the police on the demonstrators, which badly affects the process of democracy in Cambodia.

CHRAC appeals to all government authorities to respect the people’s rights guaranteed by the Constitution and to let people enjoy their full rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression and to protect those rights during peaceful demonstrations.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Mr. Chun Sath, Actiong Chairperson of CHRAC at 016 939 368
▪ Mr. Keat Sokun, Executive Director of KID, at 012 701 097

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