Authorities Block Petition Delivery on International Workers' Day, Civil Groups Protest

Union and civil society representatives have called on the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration to respect citizens’ fundamental rights after authorities blocked their International Workers’ Day petition and reminded them to notify officials before holding gatherings. The response follows an incident on May 1 when Phnom Penh authorities prevented the groups from delivering their petition to embassies and relevant ministries in conjunction with International Workers’ Day. On June 3, municipal officials met the groups’ representatives and advised them to notify authorities at least five days in advance of future gatherings. Nearly 30 trade unions and civil society organizations responding to this incident in a joint letter dated July 13 argued that prior notification was unnecessary because their activities did not constitute a demonstration, rather it was a petition submission marking International Workers’ Day. They said they had already informed the Labor and Vocational Training Ministry, the Council for the Development of Cambodia, and several embassies about the petition campaign. They said they “always complied with Cambodian laws as well as international human rights treaties and conventions”. However, the authorities’ action reflected a lack of respect for freedom of expression and democratic principles in Cambodia. The groups urged the Phnom Penh administration to review its actions. “In this spirit, we call on the Phnom Penh administration to review the implementation of its role to ensure respect for citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms in accordance with the rule of law and to enhance Cambodia’s honor and credibility on the international stage,” the letter stated. Dor Samphors, spokesperson for the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration, told CamboJA News that she could not comment because she had yet to see the letter. She added that the petition incident occurred about two months ago. Yang Sophorn, president of the Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions, told CamboJA News that the groups first attempted to submit the response letter to the municipal administration on July 14, but officials did not accept it. Despite the rejection, Sophorn said unions and civil society groups would continue submitting petitions on important occasions and in response to workers’ concerns. “If they intend to stop the petitions, that is their decision,” she said. “But we also have our own responsibility. As citizens and civil society organizations recognized under the law, we have the right to carry out our work. We will continue to protect workers’ rights.”