Shootings May Impact Security Council Bid, Minister Says

Monday's shooting of protesting factory workers by security guards at a Svay Rieng special economic zone could damage Cambodia's international reputation and potentially impact the country's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Interior Minister Sar Kheng said yesterday Speaking at the opening of a three-day annual meeting at the ministry, the deputy prime minister warned that Foreign Minister Hor Namhong could not succeed in his efforts to secure the UN seat without the help of the Interior Ministry. "The cases that happened such as in Svay Rieng and Kratie provinces, when authorities used violence to shoot people, it could affect the UN non-permanent seat [bid]. I think the international community will see it as a human rights violation," Mr. Kheng warned, before urging officials to stop acts of violence.

http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/