RFA
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) canceled a planned rally in a central province on Tuesday, alleging that Prime Minister Hun Sen's party had sent a group of people to cause trouble at the gathering, days after the government violently cracked down on opposition protests and workers' strikes.
CNRP President Sam Rainsy and Deputy President Kem Sokha said they aborted their trip to Kandal province, a Hun Sen stronghold which surrounds the capital Phnom Penh, to avoid falling into the "trap" of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) which they said was planning to incite violence.
Sam Rainsy said the CPP "transported about 1,000 Hun Sen bodyguards who were disguised [to provoke problems]" at the site teeming with security forces who appeared prepared to suppress any violence.
He said that his party cancelled the gathering to avoid clashes between CNRP supporters and security forces.
“This is a trick that was played to arrest us and jail us," Eng Chhay Eang, the CNRP’s head in Kandal, was quoted saying by The Phnom Penh Post newspaper. "We do not play this game, [so] we decided to postpone.”
Security forces took no action to disperse the large group of potential troublemakers at the rally site despite requests from the opposition, local CNRP officials said.
Opposition to continue with rallies
Kem Sokha however vowed to continue holding CNRP rallies in the coming days.
"We will continue our political activities peacefully. We are trying to avoid violence. We don't use violent means to resolve issues like the ruling party does," he said.
Tuesday's incident came more than two weeks after police shot dead four people during a strike by garment workers in the outskirts of Phnom Penh and violently dispersed CNRP supporters at the capital's Freedom Park after they demanded that Hun Sen step down and hold fresh elections.
The CNRP claimed it was robbed of victory in July 2013 elections which it said was marred by fraud and other irregularities. The government-appointed election body declared Hun Sen's CPP the victor and dismissed calls for an independent investigation by the CNRP which has boycotted parliament.
The deadly crackdown on Jan. 3 has also led to a ban on protests in Phnom Penh.
Petition bid thwarted
run today fight tomorrow, there is time and place for everything. like old say every dog have it day. some dog play smart fight with no blood, no bite but insult opponent, use internal court to (icc), use human right, use intelligence, use justice over violent. violent and again violent not show whom is winner but, weak our culture, tradition, religion, Khmer pride then foreigner invader crush our all at the end without notice. compassion love, care, mercy go a long way, peace with come to us if Khmer love Khmer and traitor dictatorship will dissolved soon...
Jan 22, 2014 09:53 PM
Hun sen raised in Hanoi, Vietnam inserted not only him but all high ranking officers in Cambodia government . They speak Khmer fluently.
Jan 22, 2014 08:47 PM
Concerning on Sam Rainsy's language on Vietnam in Cambodia. This is reflected the past Non Nol's regime on 1970 -1975, racism idea which destroyed the Cambodia peace with neighbor country. Rainsy is not raised in Cambodia
Jan 22, 2014 03:17 PM
The word "youn" has never been derogatory word and it will never be. Only in your mind. How is that word insults or hurts the Vietnamese is beyond me, I just don't see.
Jan 22, 2014 08:46 PM
This serial killer continues to cause trouble so he can continue to rule Cambodia and kill his own people with his absolute power.
Jan 22, 2014 11:13 AM
Hanoi controls the shell of Cambodian govt since 1979. From the military to the seniors of CPP to include Hun Sen they are fluent in Vietamese! They follow Hanoi directives!!!
China pours BILLIONS to Hun Sen who funnels the money to Hanoi (the ancient, arch ennemy of China). Most Cambodians are too dumb and deliberately kept uneducated under Hanoi's policies to know the truth!
Jan 22, 2014 09:41 AM
