Authorities Not Allow Opposition To Hold Protest Training at Freedom Park

Cambodia (Kohker) – The Phnom Penh Municipal authorities will not allow the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to train its supporters on how to hold peaceful demonstrations ahead of a mass protest planned on September 7.

The decision was made in a meeting between the municipal authorities and the CNRP representatives on the afternoon of August 30. Phnom Penh Municipal authorities told the opposition officials that there is no any law to allow it to conduct such training at the Freedom Park, which, the authorities said, had been established for citizens to express opinions.

The CNRP on August 29 afternoon began to provide a training session to its members on how to hold peaceful demonstrations ahead of the planned mass demonstration, according to its statement released the same day.

During the training session, the opposition party also planned to hold two protest rehearsals at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park on September 1 and 5.

Opposition President Sam Rainsy said at a press conference on Thursday morning that the planned mass protest aims at demanding the establishment of an independent commission to probe election irregularities.