Thursday, 9 July 2009

The Phnom Penh Post News in Brief

The Phnom Penh Post

In Brief: City hall nixes evictee meeting

Thursday, 09 July 2009
May Titthara

City Hall has rejected a request from the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR) to host a meeting at Wat Phnom of recently evicted Phnom Penh residents, according to a letter released to the public on Wednesday. CCHR President Ou Virak said the meeting, which was planned for July 17, would have brought together at least 500 recently evicted residents, adding that the residents had hoped to meet with officials to discuss problems they have encountered at their various relocation sites. The released letter from Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun stated that officials had decided to put a stop to the meeting out of concerns for public safety and security. Ny Chakrya, head of monitoring for the rights group Adhoc, said the decision was regrettable. "Free expression of opinions is essential for a democratic country, whether against or in support of the government."

In Brief: SRP, intl donors raise funds

Thursday, 09 July 2009
Meas Sokchea

The opposition Sam Rainsy Party said Wednesday that party members and overseas supporters have contributed donations on behalf of Hang Chakra, publisher of the opposition-aligned newspaper Khmer Machas Srok, who was convicted on charges of spreading false information last month and sentenced to one year in prison. The donations follow an appeal last week by the party seeking funds to help support the embattled editor's family. "Hang Chakra's family is very poor. We are helping him as a humanitarian issue, not as a political one," the party's acting president, Kong Korm, said Wednesday.

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