Anti-refugee protest dogged by xenophobia

18 October 2014
The Phnom Penh Post
Civil society / Ethnic minorities and indigenous people / Government / Human rights / International relations / Social development
Australian aid / Australian Embassy / EU delegation / Federation of Cambodian Intellectuals and Students / Mao Pises / National Assembly / The Council of Ministers / U.S. Embassy

Hundreds of demonstrators marched through central Phnom Penh yesterday morning calling for a controversial refugee resettlement deal between Australia and Cambodia to be scrapped. While the protesters echoed human rights concerns that have been repeatedly made about the scheme, an undercurrent of xenophobia was also present. After calling on the US Embassy, the Council of Ministers, the EU delegation and the National Assembly bearing petitions, the diverse group of monks, students, land rights activists and NGO workers eventually set up camp in front of the Australian Embassy. …

 Kevin Ponniah
http://phnompenhpost.com/post-weekend/anti-refugee-protest-dogged-xenophobia