The High Commissioner speaks out about the recent demonstrations in Phnom Penh, harshly repressed by the government. UN calls for moderation and compliance with international standards. "Concern" over the "disappearance" of 23 demonstrators. Textile workers and parliamentary opposition unity threatens the thirty-year regime of Hun Sen.

Phnom Penh ( AsiaNews / Agencies) - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed "deep alarm" over the "disproportionate use of force" by Cambodian authorities' "violent" suppression of textile workers' street demonstrations . The UN officials also sought a thorough investigation to shed light on the causes that led to the deaths of protesters during the clashes . Last week, thousands of workers - joined by the parliamentary opposition - demonstrated in the streets of the capital Phnom Penh, seeking an increase in minimum wages and better working conditions. The government forcibly suppressed the protests, causing at least four dead and forty wounded.

Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed that the Geneva based organization is "following the situation in Cambodia with deep concern" and does not hide its "alarm for the disproportionate use of force" against demonstrators . In an official statement, the United Nations official addressed government officials and security officers , inviting them to " use maximum restraint " in dealing with the demonstrations .

On January 6, the police stopped and questioned five activists for several hours. The UN High Commissioner calls for the Cambodian government to respect "international rights" in the maintenance of order and security at the same time expressing serious "concern" for the disappearance of 23 people, arrested during the protests. Among these there was also a minor, whose fate is still unknown.

In recent weeks, tens of thousands of workers, led by the country's two main unions , have blocked the access roads to the Ministry of Labour, announcing new demonstrations if their demands are not met . Unions , workers and opposition are pushing for a doubling of the minimum wage from the current $ 80 a month to 160 . However, so far they have managed to achieve an increase of only $ 15 per month ( the government offered a maximum of 100)  as of April 2014.

The strikes threaten to cripple the manufacturing industry of the country, one of the most vital and thriving in Cambodia with 650 thousand employees and a multi- billion dollar turnover, linked to the production of garments for major Western brands .

For the first time in nearly 30 years in power  Prime Minister Hun Sen faces growing and widespread popular discontent.  The coming together of the parliamentary opposition and textile workers could pose a challenge to his rule that has been unchallenged for decades until now . Cambodian policy experts point out that "if the two movements were to unite and merge, they would represent a very serious threat to the Hun Sen regime".  This is why the authorities need to resort to the use of force to nip the drift that had taken over popular discontent in the bud.

From 12 to 17 January, the UN special representative for Cambodia, Surya Subedi, will visit the Asian country and meet with the Prime Minister, pro human rights activists and independent bodies.

 

• cambodia
• un
• protests
• textile
• workers
• force
• human
• rights