Opposition, NGO rallies expected to cross over

NGOs yesterday were granted permission to hold an International Human Rights Day event on Tuesday outside Wat Phnom – just a short distance from Freedom Park, where the Cambodia National Rescue Party has been given approval for a 10,000-person mass demonstration.

In letters signed by Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, the ministry refuses both groups permission to march to the National Assembly but allows up to 5,000 people associated with the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) – a coalition of more than 20 NGOS – to gather in park land around Wat Phnom.

Suon Bunsak, executive secretary of CHRAC, said he was expecting a strong crowd at Wat Phnom, including CNRP president Sam Rainsy. …

Bunsak said City Hall officials had first offered the NGOs another location, which they had refused.

After threatening to march to the National Assembly to demand the government take action to stop human rights abuses, they were offered Wat Phnom. …

Staying away from both Freedom Park and Wat Phnom on Tuesday will be the groups of monks who have been walking to the capital from provincial areas since December 1, But Buntenh, head of the Independent Monks Network, said. …

In a statement released on Saturday, Amnesty International said that it was concerned about roadblocks similar to the ones used during a protest that ended in police shooting dead a 29-year-old man in Phnom Penh in September. …

 Shane Worrell and Khouth Sophak Chakrya
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/opposition-ngo-rallies-expected-cross-over