Dear friends,

On 20th December at 8.30am, more than 200 Cambodian citizens unrolled 230 meters of blue “karma” – the symbol of human rights defenders in Cambodia.

The 230 meters of krama contains petitions with the thumbprints of 10,697 citizens from 24 provinces. The petition demands the Royal Government of Cambodia to halt the three planned laws, i.e.:

• Association and NGO Law
• Trade Union Law
• Agricultural Cooperative Law

If passed, these proposed laws will severely limit the freedoms of Cambodian citizens to securely farm for a decent living, to advocate for a living wage and safe working conditions, and to legally use their right of freedom of association, of expression and of assembly as guaranteed under human rights conventions.

The peaceful advocacy event went smoothly this morning. There was no violence from police. 70 extra people came to participate in holding the krama.

We hope these photos will spread a smile of happiness, hope and pride in the possibility of Cambodian citizen action!

The Kingdom of Wonders is also the Kingdom of Citizens’ Possibilities

With Solidarity

Heng Sam Orn

Secretary General of IDEA, Cambodia

01/14 

   

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