"Cambodia Marks Human Rights Day Despite ‘Restrictions’", 10 December 2018

Unions and rights groups have criticized the government and local authorities for placing “restrictions” on their planned events to mark International Human Rights Day ...

Several hundred participants, led by nine unions and non-governmental groups, gathered in the capital’s Democracy Square … to mark 70 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The demonstrators were met by a heavy police presence, as well as the deployment of informal para-police forces…

Mean Chanyada, a Phnom Penh deputy governor, said the gathering would be restricted to the square in a letter to its organizers…

Sar Mory, one of the organizers and the deputy president of the Cambodian Youth Network, said the restrictions on the rally was a “missed opportunity” by the government.

“We see this as a metaphor for the government and the Interior Ministry to call a house ‘open’ while locking its front door. This means peaceful assembly and expression is still under treat and restriction,” Mory told…

Mao Sokha, a resident of Phnom Penh’s Boeung Kak Community, said she wanted a full restoration of democratic space for average citizens like herself…

Met Measpheakdey, Phnom Penh Municipal Administration spokesman, said the fact that the groups were allowed to “smoothly” and “successfully” gather and hold the event was evidence of government’s openness.

The government also held its own celebration of the day … leading a workshop of officials and calling for cooperation between state officials and the civil society to promote peace and human rights.