Asean NGO Coalition Claims Members’ Rights Violated
Members of the Asean People’s Forum, a coalition of NGOs that convened in Phnom Penh last week, declared yesterday that their rights had been violated after four workshops on sensitive issues were canceled by the venue where they met. In a statement representing more than 1,200 delegates from Asean countries, the group said that Asean governments had violated their right to freedom of speech and assembly by refusing to allow four workshops focusing on land rights, mass evictions, environmental issues and Burma, and by prohibiting a delegation from Laos from attending the forum. … Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan yesterday again denied government responsibility for shutting down the workshops… “If they think the government is their enemy, then they shouldn’t live here,” Mr. Siphan said. …
