Cambodian opposition says to rally on Sunday despite ban

 

Cambodian opposition says to rally on Sunday despite ban

 

Shanghai Daily | Mar 27,2014

PHNOM PENH, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) said Thursday that it is still to go ahead with its plan to hold a people's congress at the capital's Freedom Park on Sunday afternoon despite permission denial from the City Hall.

"The CNRP would like to inform monks, compatriots and diplomatic corps as well as journalists and civil society that the party will hold a people's congress on Sunday afternoon, March 30, at the Freedom Park," the party said in a press statement.

The gathering is aimed to express the party's stance and to hear people's recommendations over the current political situation, the statement said, adding that CNRP leader Sam Rainsy will lead the upcoming rally.

The statement was issued just hours after the Phnom Penh City Hall denied permission for the CNRP's request to hold the rally at the Freedom Park on Sunday.

"In principle, the City Hall does not allow the CNRP to rally at the Freedom Park on Sunday because the park is still under the court's investigation process over violent cases in January," said Long Dimanche, spokesman for the City Hall.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday warned that the government would take legal actions against any illegal protests in order to maintain peace and political stability.

"A country has its own constitution and law. If [you] do anything beyond the law and cause violence, there will be no more tolerance, and legal measures will be taken," he said during the inauguration ceremony of a hydroelectric station in western Pursat province.

Political dispute between Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Sam Rainsy's CNRP has simmered since the July 2013 election results showed that the CPP won 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for the CNRP.

Claiming serious ballot-rigging, the CNRP refused to accept the outcome and has boycotted parliament and conducted many protests, some turned violent, to demand the resignation of Hun Sen and a re- election.

Hun Sen has said that he would neither step down nor call a re- vote.