Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Back in black

Back in black

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Protestors campaign on Black Monday in the Boeung Kak community with banners portraying detained officials demanding their release. Pha Lina

Back in black

After halting for two weeks, Boeung Kak community activists yesterday made a comeback with their ‘Black Monday’ protests, saying they had lost trust in political leaders to ensure the timely release of five activists jailed on charges widely perceived to be politically motivated.

About 20 protesters restarted the campaign yesterday by handing out banners portraying the jailed activists and demanding their release. The five current and former Adhoc rights officials who remain behind bars include Lim Mony, Nay Vanda, Ny Sokha, Yi Soksan and Ny Chakrya.

Representative Song Sreyleap said if the government doesn’t release the detainees, they will continue to campaign until they are freed and their protest might become bigger. "We had postponed the campaign for two weeks already," she said, adding that activists were waiting to see the results of a meeting in December after which Interior Minister Sar Kheng hinted the five could be released before year’s end.

"But there is no release," she added, though the activists remain hopeful. Cambodia National Rescue Party deputy leader Kem Sokha and Kheng are expected to meet later this month to discuss the issue, though no specific date has been set.

MOST VIEWED

  • Tensions high ahead of historic Kun Khmer match up

    The long-awaited November 5 matchup between Kun Khmer legend Prum Samnang and Myanmar-Canadian boxer Dave Leduc has become the most anticipated fight of the year. The Wurkz Sena Kun Khmer promotion, which will be held at the Town Arena at Chip Mong 271 Megamall, will see six

  • Manet: Cambodia safe for travel

    Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged that Cambodia and China have cooperated to tackle internet scamming, fraud and other cross border crimes, but insisted that the “Kingdom of Wonders” is completely peaceful and safe. He welcomed tourists to come and explore its rich heritage. During a

  • UNESCO formally list Battambang gastronomy

    Battambang, renowned for its cultural heritage, has achieved a significant milestone as the first Cambodian municipality to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN unites nearly 300 cities prioritising creativity and cultural industries in local development plans and international cooperation. On World Cities Day,

  • Cambodia pivots to solar, wind energy

    Cambodia is planning a move towards solar and wind energy to meet its rising power demands, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak. On the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week event held recently, Rottanak emphasised the urgency of diversifying Cambodia’s

  • Angkor causeway symbol of Cambodia-Japan ties

    In a historic moment marking another milestone in the 70-year-long diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Japan, King Norodom Sihamoni celebrated the formal inauguration of a causeway located to the west of the world-renowned Angkor Wat. While presiding over the November 4 ceremony, the King emphasised the

  • Manet calls for Cambodia’s railways to get back on track

    Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite studies into upgrades to the Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk railway line. He suggested that the maximum speed on the line should be increased to 80km/h, in order to expedite the transportation of