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2013–2014 Cambodian protests

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2013–14 Cambodian protests
CNRP supporters marching
DateJuly 2013–present
Location
Cambodia
Caused by
Goals
Methods
StatusOngoing
Parties
Lead figures

Sam Rainsy
Kem Sokha
Mam Sonando
Rong Chhun
But Buntenh

Hun Sen (Prime Minister)
Sar Kheng (Minister of Interior)

Number
est. 100,000-500,000[1]
Casualties
Death(s)4 [2]
Injuries27[2]
Arrested11[2]

Anti-government protests have been ongoing in Cambodia since July 2013. Popular demonstrations in Phnom Penh have taken place against the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, triggered by widespread allegations of electoral fraud during the Cambodian general election of 2013.[3] Demands to raise the minimum wage to $160 a month[4] and resentment at Vietnamese influence in Cambodia have also contributed to the protests.[5] The main opposition party refused to participate in parliament after the elections,[6] and major demonstrations took place throughout December 2013.[7] A government crackdown in January 2014 led to the deaths of 4 people and the clearing of the main protest camp.[8]

Background

Further information: Cambodian general election, 2013

There are so many irregularities [with the election] that were exposed even before voting day. We know that this was a foregone conclusion; that the ruling party organised the election in such a way as to secure victory even before voting day.[9]

Sam Rainsy, leader of CNRP

On 28 July 2013 general elections were held in Cambodia, with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) claiming victory with 68 seats.[10] The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the main opposition party with 55 seats, rejected the results and boycotted the opening of parliament, claiming there had been irregularities with the voting.[11][12] The E.U. and U.S. also expressed concern about possible fraud,[3] and the international non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch called for an 'independent commission' to investigate allegations of election fraud.[13] The opposition party organised large protests in Phnom Penh during December, including motorbike rallies.[14] The government called the protests illegal and stated that they were 'inciting anarchy'.[14]

January 2014 violence

On Friday 3 January military police fired at protesting garment workers on Veng Sreng Street, Por Senchey District, in the outskirts on Phnom Penh, killing at least 4 people and injuring more than 20.[15][16][17] The protesters blocked the road and had thrown bottles and rocks at the police in retaliation for violence towards other protesters and priests earlier during the day.[18][19] The workers were on strike over the government's refusal to raise the minimum wage to $160 a month.[20]

There was also violence towards Vietnamese Cambodians by protesters, leading to the destruction of a Vietnamese-owned coffee shop.[5]

On Saturday 4 January, Cambodian authorities entered the main protest camp and used violence to disperse protesters. Further protests were also banned.[19][8] Opposition leaders were summoned to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning for having allegedly incited striking workers to 'disrupt social order'.[21]

International condemns and criticisms

The United Nations and U.S. State Department have condemned the violence.[22][23][24] U.S. Congressman Ed Royce called for Prime Minister Hun Sen to step down, saying 'It's time for Hun Sen to end his three-decade grip on power and step down'.[25] In front of the White House, more than 500 Cambodian Americans gather to stage protest, seeking aid from the United States government. They have also demanded the release of the 23 imprisoned on January 3 during the police crackdown.[26] UN rights envoy to Cambodia Surya Subedi visited Cambodia and met with Prime Minister Hun Sen.[27]

On 29 January, opposition leader Sam Rainsy went to Geneva where the UN Human Rights Committee is reviewing Cambodia's rights record.[28]

The European Union, Australia, Germany, Poland, Japan, and Thailand have all expressed concerns and worries about human rights in Cambodia.[29][30] Human Rights Watch called for UN to pressure the Cambodian government.[31]

  • Armed Cambodian riot police. The violence was the worst in Cambodia since crackdowns on protests after 1998 elections.
    Armed Cambodian riot police. The violence was the worst in Cambodia since crackdowns on protests after 1998 elections.
  • Opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha wave to protesters during a mass demonstration in December 2013.
    Opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha wave to protesters during a mass demonstration in December 2013.

References

  1. ^ Sokchea, Meas. "CNRP's Sunday 'tsunami'". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Military vows to protect government, election results". The Cambodia Herald. 6 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Cambodia rejects call for poll fraud inquiry". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Four Killed as Riot Police Fire on Demonstrators". VOA Khmer. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  5. ^ a b Reaksmey, Hul (6 January 2014). "Vietnamese Shop Near Protest Site Looted by Demonstrators". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Cambodia opposition boycott opening of parliament". BBC News. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  7. ^ Dara, Mech (23 December 2013). "CNRP Holds Biggest Demonstration in Decades". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Cambodia Authorities Raid Protest Camp, Ban Further Demonstrations". VOA Khmer. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  9. ^ Marks, Simon. "Ruling party reels after Cambodia vote". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Cambodia opposition claims massive poll fraud". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  11. ^ Fuller, Thomas (29 July 2013). "Cambodian Opposition Rejects Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  12. ^ Thul, Prak Chan. "Cambodian opposition boycotts parliament, Hun Sen remains PM". Reuters. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  13. ^ "Cambodia: Ruling Party Orchestrated Vote Fraud". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Cambodian Opposition Party Defies Authorities With More Protests". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  15. ^ "Workers, Police Clash, Leaving 3 Dead in Cambodia". VOA Khmer.
  16. ^ Sokha, Cheang. "Crackdown turns deadly". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  17. ^ Soenthrith, Saing (6 January 2014). "Five Killed During Protest Confirmed as Garment Workers". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  18. ^ "Cambodia garment workers killed in clashes with police". BBC News. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  19. ^ a b Quinlan, Daniel (4 January 2014). "Democracy unraveling". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  20. ^ Kunthear, Mom. "Exodus follows violent clash". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  21. ^ White, Stuart (6 January 2014). "Leadership of CNRP digging in". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  22. ^ Meyn, Colin (6 January 2014). "Government Blasted for Eviction of Freedom Park". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  23. ^ Men Kimseng (4 January 2014). "US State Department Condemn Violence on Protestors in Cambodia". VOA News. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ "Cambodia: UN expert urges restraint as police fire on striking garment workers". UN News Centre. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  25. ^ Sok Khemara (7 January 2014). "US House Foreign Affairs Chair Calls for Hun Sen To Step Down". VOA News. Retrieved 30 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ Men Kimseng (21 January 2014). "Cambodian-Americans Protest Outside White House". VOA News. Retrieved 30 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ "UN Rights Envoy to Visit Cambodia in Wake of Deadly Crackdown". Radio Free Asia. 2014-01-08. Retrieved 30 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ Sok Khemara (29 January 2014). "Cambodia at UN to Defend Rights Record". VOA News. Retrieved 30 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ Kong Sothanarith (30 January 2014). "International Community Wants Cambodia to Improve Rights Record". VOA Khmer. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ "International Community Criticize Human Rights in Cambodia". VOA Khmer. 29 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ Kong Sothanarith (28 January 2014). "Human Rights Watch Condemns Weekend Cambodia Violence". VOA Khmer. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

Template:Anti-government protests in the 21st century

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