Regional Demonstrators Blocked From Delivering Petition on Human Rights

Security forces blocked about 1,000 people from different Asean countries from submitting a petition to the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calling on Asean leaders to respect human rights across the region. Police told protesters they would not be allowed to march on the ministry, where Cambodia is to host major regional summits next week. Some Asean ministers are already meeting in advance of the summits. Ghi Laga, a demonstrator from Malaysia, told VOA Khmer that Cambodia is not the only country that experiences human rights violations. “I think it is our right to assemble, to express, and we should exercise it,” she said. “We should not be stopped by the government, or anyone for that matter.” (Heng Reaksmey and Say Mony, VOA Khmer, Phnom Penh)