7 Sept – Post-election Mass Protest- Freedom Park
Photo by Charlotte Pert
Date: Sunday 6 October, 2013
Time: 3:00-6:00PM
Place: Freedom Park
CNRP leaders will meet with at least 10,000 people to report back on latest political developments.
This process of consultation and dialogue with the public will continue to be implemented as CNRP develops its agenda for next rounds of negotiations with the CPP.
The day Chea Vichea was assassinated was the day I joined the opposition: Juanuary 22, 2004.
Sisterhood-with my mentor Tioulong Saumura on the 3rd day- Photo Charley Pert
The 3-day of non-violent protest is over but it is not the end of the story. it is just a break.
What have we gained from it? Have we reached our objective which is : truth and justice and non-violence.
What is Power?
A 29 year-old was shot dead by anti-riot police -Sept.15
The meaning of power to destroy vs. the moral power to unite a nation.
Mr. Hun Sen made it known to us that he watched the entire 3-day via USTREAM. We should thank him for that as he must have heard the message from the people who sold their chickens and ducks and even a man sold his dog to be part of Freedom Park.
Mr. Hun Sen must have seen democracy in action and the people’s commitment to bring change for the nation.
Mr. Hun Sen must have heard how many times we said : non-violence.
The monk who wanted to immolate himself on stage is a very strong message of what a culture of violence does to a person and to a nation.
I think that we have opened a new page together: facing this culture of violence and changing it.
Moral Power
His Majesty is under pressure to open the National Assembly on the 23rd of September. He has to answer to his people and to the entire nation that is not in unity.
CNRP MPs-elect will not sell their conscience.
His majesty says: “GO” but we say”No till the people say so”.
A final word is : democracy can not be built in one day as it is a process.
The people want change and we will not deceive them.
We understand how many are frustrated and even want to abandon this journey. But we have to be on the same track and swim the deep seas and cross the Himalayan peeks together in order to see what is at the top.
The political negotiations
What is still in the process is truth as the CPP wants to put it out of the agenda. But CNRP keeps putting it back on the agenda and we will never delete it from our agenda. We are discussing with NGOs to find a mechanism outside of the system to establish a Truth Commission that will investigate the irregularities and develop a blue print for in-depth electoral reforms.
Our very deep gratitude to all who continue to be part of a new Cambodia for our beloved people who deserve true peace.
Let me end with a song dedicated to our soldiers even if they aim to kill but our task is to aim to build.
In solidarity
Day 2 Non-Violent Mass Protest
A 29 year-old was shot dead by anti-riot police -Sept.15
The Cambodia National Rescue Party condemns the use of excessive force by Cambodian police when dispersing protestors at Kbal Tnal Bridge on Sunday 15 September. This action leaves one young man shot dead, several others wounded, and a tragic end to do a day of peaceful demonstrations. We call for an urgent investigation into this act of police brutality and use of deadly weapons.
On the first night of our peaceful protest against election irregularities, 29-year-old Mao Sok Chan was shot through the forehead. Hundreds of people were caught in the clashes between protestors and police, as they were trying to return home but were unable due to road barricades. As people called for the barricades to be removed in order to end the immense traffic jam, police responded with an excessive use of force.
As reported by the Phnom Penh Post, “Police could be seen wielding tasers and kicking already-restrained men in the head. As they lay on their stomachs, police smashed them with batons.” The Cambodian Center for Human Rights says there human rights observers were chased from the scene, along with journalists, by state authorities. Four people are seriously injured with bullet wounds.
National and international laws protect our right to peaceful protest and we continue to call on non-violent demonstration to demand election irregularities are properly investigated. We thank the tens of thousands peaceful protestors who showed up at Democracy Square, walked the streets, and camped through the night.
A tragedy, a true tragedy.
Mu Sochua: MP & Human Rights Advocate 