Cambodian Opposition Leaders Go Into Hiding Amid Protest Crackdown
Cambodia’s opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha went into hiding Saturday as the government stepped up its crackdown on protests against Prime Minister Hun Sen following deadly violence. A day after police shot dead four people during workers’ protests for higher wages, the government dispersed supporters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) from their main protest site at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh and banned further street demonstrations. The authorities also issued summonses to CNRP President Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, who have led daily rallies calling on Hun Sen to quit and hold new elections, to appear in court to answer charges of inciting social unrest. The crackdown prompted the CNRP to call off mass demonstrations scheduled on Sunday, saying supporters will gather at the party’s headquarters for a Buddhist ceremony to pray for the four dead and dozens injured when police opened fire at striking garment workers on Friday. … CNRP lawmaker Mu Sochua told RFA that Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, whose mobile phones have been switched off, are in a “safe place,” declining to elaborate. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has issued separate summonses ordering Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha to appear before a court on Jan. 14 on charges of “incitement to provoke criminal acts and provoke social unrest.” … Government spokesman Keo Remy told a press conference that the government moved to clear Freedom Park in a bid to “stop social disorder and to restore calm in the country.” He urged the CNRP to return to talks with Hun Sen’s CPP over election complaints. … Meanwhile, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court has charged 13 people for allegedly inciting violence during protests Friday by garment and footwear workers demanding that minimum wages be doubled. Family members of the 13 said that some of them were not involved in the protests n what the local rights group Licadho said was “the worst state violence against civilians to hit Cambodia in 15 years.” …
Radio Free Asia News Staff
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/clampdown-01042014123656.html
