Fears over human rights in Cambodia as crackdown on protests continues

11 February 2014
The Guardian
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Prak Sovannary tries to put on a brave face. She has just heard that two of 23 men arrested during a violent crackdown on garment worker protests in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last month have unexpectedly been released on bail.

Her husband, Vorn Pao, a prominent activist and union leader, is not one of them. He was beaten by soldiers after undergoing surgery for kidney cancer. Pao warned his wife he was unlikely to survive in prison. …

The remaining 21 could be released on bail on Tuesday, but charges against them are expected to stand. …

After months of protests, which were largely tolerated by the government, human rights in Cambodia have deteriorated rapidly this year. A ban on public assembly has been implemented in the capital, Phnom Penh, and enforced by untrained “public order officers”, who are armed with batons and electric cattle prods.

Journalists have been beaten at demonstrations and opposition gatherings have been intimidated by hordes of ruling party supporters. …

 Kevin Ponniah
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/feb/11/cambodia-human-rights-crackdown-protests