Cambodia lifts ban on demonstrations

Cambodia has lifted a one-month- old ban on public protests after general situation has been restored, Gen. Kheng Tito, spokesman for the National Military Police, said Wednesday. "Our Prime Minister Hun Sen has removed the ban on demonstrations after the situation has been improved," he told Xinhua. The government imposed a temporary ban on demonstrations on Jan. 4 after two protests turned violent, leaving 4 protesters dead and 21 still detained. Hun Sen said Tuesday that any future opposition demonstrations would be met by rallies by pro-government supporters who have " equal rights" to do so. "Now, the demonstrations have two groups. Pro-opposition party supporters have the rights to demonstrate, and pro-government supporters also have the same rights to stage rallies," the premier said during the inauguration of a coal-fired power plant in Preah Sihanouk province. He said police may find it difficult to keep the two groups apart when they hold a protest at the same time and place. Political row between the Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the Sam Rainsy's opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has persisted since the July election results showed that the CPP won 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for the CNRP. Claiming serious irregularities during the poll, the CNRP refused to accept the outcome and has boycotted parliament and held many protests--some of them had turned violent--in order to demand the resignation of Hun Sen and a re-election. Hun Sen has said that he would neither step down nor call a re- vote.