January 9, 2014 7:53 am
Published by CALD
CALD Resolution No. 1 S. 2014
CALD resolution condemning in strongest terms the violent crackdown of peaceful protests in Cambodia, the ban on all public assemblies and protests, and the judicial harassment against members of Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), union leaders and other human rights defenders
The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD):
Aware that on 3 January 2014, the Cambodian authorities’ excessive use of force against garment workers demanding better wages resulted in deaths of at least four people, and injuries to and continuing detention of several dozen others;
Noting that a day after this incident, on 4 January 2014, the Ministry of Interior revoked freedom of assembly, a fundamental right guaranteed under the Cambodian Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Cambodia is a signatory; and
Mindful that Phnom Penh Municipal Court also issued summons to CNRP leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, as well as to the head of Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association Rong Chhun, to appear before the court on 14 January 2014 for questioning about their role in the protests.
Hereby:
Condemns in strongest terms the Cambodian authorities’ violent dispersal of peaceful protests and continuing illegal detention of many demonstrators;
Demands the immediate and unconditional release of dozens of union leaders, workers, and other protesters still in detention;
Strongly urges the retraction of the blanket ban on all public assemblies and protests;
Deplores the judicial harassment against members of the opposition, union leaders and human rights defenders;
Strongly believes that the actions of Cambodian government would only exacerbate political tensions and social unrest in the country; and
Calls on the international community to intensify its pressure on the Cambodian government to stop its repressive acts, to conduct an independent and transparent investigation of the crackdown, and to institute genuine, inclusive political reform.
For the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats:
J.R. Nereus Acosta
Secretary General
9 January 2014
Categorised in: Resolutions
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