A nationwide march to commemorate Human Rights Day next week got off to a confrontational start on Friday when authorities in Takeo province blocked a road and threatened to arrest marchers.

Eighty activists, including 14 monks, embarked on a planned five-day walk to Phnom Penh from Kiri Vong district in the morning, but were blocked by barricades and about 100 local police and military police officers, according to activists and officials.

Srey Ben, a Takeo provincial councilor, said the group had failed to receive permission for the march.

“They were blocked by the authorities because they did not ask permission from the Ministry of Cults and Religion as the march is led by monks,” he said.

Six contingents began their trek along the country’s national highways Friday in a series of marches expected to include some 600 hu­man rights activists, who plan to convene in front of the National Assembly in Phnom Penh on De­cember 10.

Three of the groups—marching along national roads 2, 6 and 7—were not allowed to gather at the pagodas where they planned to sleep Thursday night before starting out, according to Am Sam Ath, technical supervisor for rights group Licadho.

In Ratanakkiri province’s Kon Mom district, marchers were sent away when they arrived at Kiri Sorphoan pagoda, according to monk Kim Sao Samkhan.

“When we arrived, police told us to find another place,” he said.

On Friday morning, representatives of the group “Friends of December 10,” which is organizing the marches, met with Phnom Penh municipal officials to discuss the arrival of activists in the city.

Activists and monks who have been marching to Phnom Penh from across the country to mark Human Rights Day on Wednesday met with roadblocks and armed police on the city’s outskirts Tuesday morning, negotiating their way through the blockages only to find the pagodas where they intended to spend the night were locked.

A group of about 70 marchers making their way along National Road 2 came up against a roadblock manned by some 30 police in Meanchey district at about 11 a.m. Tuesday, where they were prevented from passing for about an hour.
Activists from Takeo province walk along National Road 2 on Tuesday on their way to Phnom Penh to mark Human Rights Day today. Since Friday, more than 600 activists and monks have been marching to the capital from across the country. Several groups on Tuesday came up against police blockades, while others were locked out of the pagodas where they had planned to spend the night. (John Vink)

Activists from Takeo province walk along National Road 2 on Tuesday on their way to Phnom Penh to mark Human Rights Day today. Since Friday, more than 600 activists and monks have been marching to the capital from across the country. Several groups on Tuesday came up against police blockades, while others were locked out of the pagodas where they had planned to spend the night. (John Vink)

But contacted Tuesday, acting district police chief Chuem Sitha denied that his officers had set up barricades.

“No, we didn’t set up barriers; it was time for the monks to have lunch,” he said. Mr. Sitha said authorities demanded that representatives of the marchers sign agreements promising that they would not block traffic once inside the city center.

“We did not stop them, we just checked them for weapons…and ensured there would be no traffic jams,” he said.

Once the roadblocks were removed, the group—which started their journey in Takeo province’s Kiri Vong district—tramped down the highway and past the Phnom Penh headquarters of the opposition CNRP, where they were met by party president Sam Rainsy and lawmaker Mu Sochua, who accompanied them to Wat Tan on Norodom Boulevard.

Prak Bora, second deputy chief monk at the pagoda, welcomed the weary band at about 2 p.m., and criticized reports that authorities had ordered pagodas along the way to lock out marchers.

“I’m not happy that local authorities pressure pagodas to ban marchers from staying,” he said. “A pagoda is a place for everyone.”

But a second group of marchers that had traveled from Ratanakkiri province—which was also temporarily stopped outside the city by police, according to rights group Adhoc—apparently received a less warm welcome.

The group, which included members of the seven different ethnic minority communities from the country’s northeast, was refused entry to Keang Kleang pagoda in Chroy Changva district, where they had intended to stay the night, according to rights group Licadho.

The activists moved on to nearby Wat Chas, where they were offered shelter, Licadho said.

Another group of about 100 marchers, which had traveled into the city via National Road 4, arrived at Stung Meanchey pagoda in Meanchey district to find the gates locked.

Thai Bunthoeun, acting chief monk at the pagoda, said his decision to stop marchers from entering was in accordance with a joint statement released by the country’s Mohanikaya and Thammayut Buddhist sects on Friday prohibiting monks from taking part in marches.

“Another reason is that we are afraid that they will not leave if we allow them to stay,” he said.

“No, we didn’t set up barriers; it was time for the monks to have lunch,” he said.

Anchor Moy wrote:Same refusal of freedom of expression again this year for the celebration of Universal Human Rights Day Cambodia style; they should just rename it STFU Day.

The Phnom Penh municipal government has rejected a request from NGOs to mark international Human Rights Day on December 10 with a march from the National Assembly to Freedom Park, claiming the walk would pose a threat to public security...
Mr. Dimanche [said] “A march expresses an opinion,” he said. “We cannot allow it ...”[/quote]
What a gem.
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/city ... rs-101830/

I do hope there will also be a ban on women for International Women's day etc

And for Christ sake put a ban on Christmas day and that cunt called Santa Clause , ,,, but not his reindeer. They are the good guys.

Duncan wrote:

Anchor Moy wrote:Same refusal of freedom of expression again this year for the celebration of Universal Human Rights Day Cambodia style; they should just rename it STFU Day.

The Phnom Penh municipal government has rejected a request from NGOs to mark international Human Rights Day on December 10 with a march from the National Assembly to Freedom Park, claiming the walk would pose a threat to public security...
Mr. Dimanche [said] “A march expresses an opinion,” he said. “We cannot allow it ...”[/quote]
What a gem.
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/city ... rs-101830/

I do hope there will also be a ban on women for International Women's day etc

And for Christ sake put a ban on Christmas day and that cunt called Santa Clause , ,,, but not his reindeer. They are the good guys.

One of Norway’s biggest national newspapers has apologised after publishing funeral details for Father Christmas.

The death announcement in Aftenposten featured a picture of a cross and gave Santa’s age as 227.

It read: “Our dear Father Christmas, born 12 December 1788 … died on 3 December in Nordkapp,” which is the country’s northernmost point.

It said the funeral would be held at the North Pole Chapel on 28 December. No cause of death – an overdose of mince pies or otherwise – was given...