Police Deny Responsibility for Shooting Civilians
Police on Wednesday denied any responsibility for the shooting death of a street food vendor after they fired live rounds during clashes with garment factory workers in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district on Tuesday, with a government spokesman saying the security forces can use “any means” to protect themselves and the “State.” Eng Sokhom, 49, was serving food to customers when she was shot in the chest and killed during the clash between SL Garment Factory workers, civilians and riot police in Stung Meanchey district. The SL factory workers had attempted to march to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house, but were prevented from doing so by police. Tensions escalated and rocks were thrown at the police, who responded initially with water cannons and then tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds from automatic pistols. … “The police would like to deny the report that says police shot one woman to death,” National Police spokesman Lieutenant General Kirth Chantharith said. “We do not know yet where that bullet was fired from, because the death was not inside the area of police operation,” he claimed. … Police would conduct their own investigation into the shooting of civilians, he said. “[Phnom Penh municipal police chief] Chuon Sovann told me that the National Police will lead an investigation team,” Lt. Gen. Chantharith said. Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said the slain woman, Eng Sokhom, was collateral damage. “It was a wrong place at the wrong time [for Eng Sokhom],” Mr. Siphan said. “Some protesters were nonviolent and others are troublemakers. If they show violence against the authorities, it’s against State power. They use all kinds of traditional weaponry like slingshots, rocks and sticks and iron balls,” he said. “When we see…opportunists who try to damage State property, the State has the right to protect the life of State power,” Mr. Siphan said. Asked if the government endorses the use of bullets against protesters, he replied: “It depends on the situation.” “If the police feel a threat against their life, they have a responsibility…to protect State power as well as their own lives.” “The policemen have no intention to kill anyone…. But most are proportionally trying to protect the rule of law and their own lives. All the people who were killed, were killed accidentally. That’s why you see in the [National Police] statement they say they are sorry.” … Rupert Abbott, researcher for Amnesty International in Cambodia, said Tuesday’s event indicated that a common theme is emerging when it comes to how the authorities handle demonstrations and the fallout when they end in tragedy. “[I]n recent weeks and months, we’ve seen a number of examples of security forces using excessive force against protesters and then following that, it seems, investigation is rare and those responsible are seldom held to account,” Mr. Abbott said. “There is a real danger of ongoing impunity, and it fuels a vicious cycle,” he added. … The SL Garment Factory at the center of the latest incident produces clothes for Gap and H&M. Laura Wilkinson, a spokesperson for Gap Inc., said in a statement that the company was “very concerned” after learning about the latest violence. “We and other brands have asked the United Nation’s International Labor Organization’s Better Factories Cambodia and the Cambodian Arbitration Council to intervene. We continue to urge all parties to peacefully negotiate. We have also contacted SL management to urge management to address worker concerns immediately.”
Lauren Crothers and Phann Ana
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/police-deny-responsibility-for-shooting-civilians-46937/
