CAMBODIA: WORKERS MARCH DESPITE POLICE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 000814

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/IL
DILI FOR VISITING EAP DAS ERIC JOHN
GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ELAB PGOV CB
SUBJECT: CAMBODIA: WORKERS MARCH DESPITE POLICE
INTERVENTION


PHNOM PENH 00000814 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) SUMMARY. A Labor Day march with more than 1,000
workers proceeded peacefully despite the brief and detention
by police of union leader Chea Mony, police checkpoints at
roads leading into the capital, and unconfirmed reports of
isolated clashes between police and workers elsewhere in the
city. Last week, the Phnom Penh municipal government denied
union leaders' request for permission to hold the march, but
union leaders vowed to proceed anyway. While denying
permission for the march and police intervention were
regrettable, Chea Mony's release and the subsequent decision
to allow a modified march demonstrate that the government has
learned to moderate its response to public protest. END
SUMMARY.


March Proceeds Despite Detention, Barricades
--------------


2. (U) Two pro-opposition unions, the Free Trade Union of the
Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTU) and the Cambodian
Independent Teachers Association (CITA),applied for
permission to hold a Labor Day march in Phnom Penh from the
National Assembly to Wat Langka and back to the National
Assembly. The Phnom Penh municipality denied their request
last week, citing potential confusion caused by an already
planned rally by the pro-government Cambodian Confederation
of Trade Unions (CCTU) at the National Assembly. FTU leader
Chea Mony and CITA leader Rong Chhun vowed to go ahead with
plans for the march without permission.


3. (U) Early on the morning of May 1, police surrounded FTU
headquarters and also reportedly blocked major roads into
Phnom Penh, refusing to allow pick-up trucks carrying workers
into the city, but allowing the workers to proceed on foot or
motorcycle taxi. At about 8:30 a.m., FTU president Chea Mony
was detained by police at FTU headquarters and taken first to
the Russei Keo police station and then to Phnom Penh
municipal police headquarters. The police did not present an
arrest warrant. Two FTU staff members, an International
Labor Organization (ILO) representative, and a representative
from the United Nations Cambodia Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCOHCHR) were present at
police headquarters, but were not allowed to observe Chea
Mony's meeting with police. Police also reportedly told Chea
Mony that he could not have a lawyer present. After
approximately two hours, Chea Mony signed a letter promising
a modified march route from FTU headquarters to Wat Langka
(near the site of union leader Chea Vichea's assassination
two years ago) and back to the FTU, was released, and joined
the march in progress. There are no charges currently
pending against him.


4. (U) After receiving word of Chea Mony's release and the
agreement, CITA leader Rong Chhun led more than 1,000 workers
from FTU headquarters to Wat Langka. There, Rong Chhun,
opposition party leader Sam Rainsy, human rights activist Kem
Sokha, and Chea Mony spoke to the crowd, calling for
increased freedom of expression, protection for workers'
rights, increased salaries for teachers and garment factory
workers, and lower gasoline taxes. Sam Rainsy led the
workers back to FTU headquarters, where the crowd disbursed.


5. (U) In public remarks at a separate Labor Day rally
organized by the human rights organization ADHOC, Econoff
expressed regret at Chea Mony's detention and reminded the
assembled crowd that freedom of assembly was guaranteed under
the Cambodian constitution.

Unconfirmed Reports of Clashes Elsewhere
--------------


6. (U) In addition to the brief detention of Chea Mony and
police checkpoints entering the city, union leaders and NGO
activists have also made unconfirmed reports of isolated
clashes between workers wanting to join the march and police
at several locations throughout the city. In some cases,
police are alleged to have beaten or used electric batons or
water cannons to subdue workers, although there are no
reports of serious injuries.

Disagreement Among Top Ministry of Interior Officials?
-------------- --------------


7. (SBU) According to the unconfirmed account of one police

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officer, top Ministry of Interior (MOI) officials failed to
reach an agreement about how to deal with the protesters and
gave contradictory orders. Interior Minister Sar Kheng
decided to allow the march after speaking with Sam Rainsy on
the phone in the morning. However, National Police
Commissioner General Hok Lundy disagreed with this decision,
and ordered his officers to establish checkpoints and prevent
pick-up trucks from entering the capital.

Comment
--------------


8. (SBU) While still restricting freedom of assembly, the
Cambodian government seems to be learning how to moderate its
reaction to unwelcome public protest. Whereas last fall's
criticism of the border treaty and critical comments on a
banner at a Human Rights Day rally landed several union and
human rights activists in jail, this unauthorized march was
allowed to proceed, albeit after a brief detention of one of
its organizers. While hardly action to be applauded, it is
noteworthy that the MOI negotiated with the opposition to
permit the march, and government reaction could have been far
more extreme. END COMMENT.
STORELLA