Phnom Penh: The clash between authorities and demonstrators of Trade Union of Kingdom of Cambodia and Independent Teacher Association happened the morning of August 17, 2008 when the demonstrators intended to march non-violently to demand Thai troops’ retreat from Cambodian territory.

According to the joint statement of Independent Teacher Association and Trade Union of Kingdom of Cambodia, non-violent marching demonstration today is to demand Thai armed forces who are invading Cambodian border aggressively to withdraw and demand the royal government of Thailand to respect the some charters, treaties and agreement such as respecting French-Siem border treaty of 1904 and 1907 and respecting the cultural protection treaty. In this regard, armed conflict (Laa treaty -1954), respecting 1962 international court verdict, respecting treaty on international heritage, cultural and natural protection (1972 World Heritage Agreement), respecting 1991 Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia and respecting Constitutions of United Nation and ASEAN.

The above both groups of demonstrators planned to meet in front of former national assembly building and then paraded non-violently across Norodom Bld., to the Royal Embassy of Thailand, but this plan was impaired by Phnom Penh municipality authority.

On August 17, 2008, the group of many demonstrators planned to join a non-violent marching demonstration, but they were banned by authorities and armed forces forbade demonstrating trucks and motorbikes from entering the target area in front of parliament, president of Labor Union of Kingdom of Cambodia Mr. Chea Muny said, adding that after that, demonstrators returned to Labor Union office to protest, but they were obstructed by the same authorities. This factor caused tensions and clashes for 2 hours.

Independent Teacher Association Mr. Rong Chhun called this authorities’ behavior an overall human rights abuses which authorities and armed forces transgressed bare-handed demonstrators. “People only have national loving volition and organized non-violent demonstration, why are they barred? Mr. Rong Chhun said”, adding that this behavior is known that there is no human rights protection in Cambodia and that a new government hadn’t been formed yet, there are a lot of human rights abuses and to what extent the people’s rights and freedom would drop.

Demonstration led by Mr. Rong Chhun and Chea Muny was illegally held, that’s why it was banned. This ban was to avoid effect to public security and order and this demonstration wouldn’t benefit the resolution to Prea Vihea conflict, Phnom Penh Municipality Police Commissioner Mr. Tuch Naruth said, adding that the royal government of Cambodia had negotiated with the royal government of Thailand twice and on August 18, 2008, negotiation would happen again leading to the end of border conflict.

The royal govenemnt of Cambodia should grant the rights and freedom to people to express their ideas and opinions if their freedom of expression would not affect the public security and order because Cambodia is the country that has adopted democratic policy, Adhoc president Mr. Thun Saray said, adding that “if there is such banning, it is deprivation of the people’s rights to freedom of expression”. (By Chhunheat)