Workers displaying their high spirits during standoff with police

Around two thousand factory workers gathered at the Independence Monument and later in front of the National Assembly to celebrate May Day, despite the efforts by hundreds of police to stop workers entering Phnom Penh. Organisers of the rally were officially refused permission to hold the event, with the Ministry of Interior claiming the site was already being used by the pro-Government Cambodian Confederation of Trade Unions (CCTU). Yet, media reported that the CCTU held an event - attended by Prime Minister Hun Sen and aired on Apsara television station - on the night of Sunday April 30. Workers present at the rally reported that the CCTU's planned rally failed to happen.

On the basis of this disingenuous excuse, police undertook a coordinated effort to prevent workers entering Phnom Penh. LICADHO strongly condemns this restriction to people's freedom of movement.

Starting early in the morning, traffic police, district police and riot police set up checkpoints at various roads going into Phnom Penh, stopping trucks and vans. LICADHO and other human rights agencies monitored checkpoints on Norodom Boulevard (near the Japanese Embassy), Russian Boulevard (near the corner of Street 271), National Highway 5 (near Chroy Changvar bridge), National Highway 6 (across Chroy Changvar bridge), Veng Sreng road in Stung Meanchey district. Police were armed with automatic weapons, pistols, tear gas, electric batons, riot shields and batons. Fire trucks were positioned near roadblocks, raising the possibility of police using water cannons, but this did not eventuate.

LICADHO notes the relatively restrained behaviour of individual riot police but condemns the show of force that was excessive for a rally of mostly young female factory workers. This policy shows a continuation of the Government's heavy-handed restriction on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

Trucks transporting workers to the rally were stopped and passengers were forced to walk. Most workers were from garment factories around Phnom Penh, but some had travelled from as far as Kampong Cham and Svay Rieng provinces. At several checkpoints, workers were stopped from passing at all - an unjustified restriction on movement. The standoffs lasted for hours, with tense scenes as riot police blocked workers. A brief scuffle erupted on Pochentong Rd at about 8:30am, resulting in police using riot shields to push back workers and threatening to hit them with batons, but there were no injuries recorded. There was a minor clash between police and a small group of workers in front of Wat Botum at around 11am, in which an individual was punched in the face. Although he was bleeding, the man drove away before the extent of his injuries could be assessed.

During the morning, a number of people were detained, including Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), Ou Sophann, a staff member of FTUWKC, Chhoeun Sinath, a 27 year old worker from June Textiles and Tun Sothy, also a worker from June Textiles. Tun Sothy was detained when he was found with a slingshot at the Russian Boulevard roadblock. Chea Mony was also detained at the Russian Boulevard, after trying to convince police to allow workers to enter Phnom Penh. The details of the detention of the other two is unknown. By approximately 11am, all detainees were reported to be released.

At around 11am, the roadblocks were lifted and workers began to walk towards the Independent Monument, where approximately 2,000 people rallied to celebrate May Day. Banners were displayed and speeches were made at the Independence Monument on issues including raising salaries, reducing working hours and the 2004 murder of union leader Chea Vichea. Initially police prevented the crowd from marching to the National Assembly, but just after noon workers were able to walk along Sihanouk Boulevard and on to the National Assembly. More speeches were made and the crowd began dispersing about 12:30pm.

LICADHO recognises the courage of workers who overcame intimidation to exercise their basic human rights to gather and express their views. LICADHO respects the high spirits of the workers as they endured the long standoff with police in hot weather, eventually succeeding in carrying out their peaceful rally.