Photo: International New York Times

Cambodia Bans Opposition Protest After Deadly Clash, Xinhua Says

Bloomberg News | 4 Jan. 2014

Cambodia banned the country’s opposition party from holding protests in Phnom Penh after a clash that killed four people yesterday, Xinhua News Agency reported today, citing the capital’s municipal governor, Pa Socheatvong. 

Phnom Penh Municipality won’t allow Cambodia National Rescue Party, CNRP, to hold demonstrations in the capital to “ensure social security and public order,” Xinhua reported, citing a letter from Pa Socheatvong to CNRP President Sam Rainsy. 

Police were sent to disperse the protesters and all of them were expelled from the Freedom Park today, Xinhua said. Four protesters were killed and 26 injured when Cambodian police crushed a protest yesterday, according to Xinhua. 

Sam Rainsy has led a new round of anti-government protests since Dec. 15, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Hun Sen and new elections. Thousands of garment workers joined the protests last week, demanding the minimum wage be doubled to $160 a month. 

The country has shut all garment factories since a strike broke out on Dec. 25, Xinhua reported. The sector employs about 600,000 workers and it has been a major contributor to Cambodia’s economic growth, according to Xinhua.