INVITATION OF THE
MEDIA
Phnom Penh, February 8th, 2005
http://www.freesokha.com
March for Freedom of Expression and Non-Violence in Cambodia from Phnom Penh to Oudong, February 11-13, 2006
The Alliance for
Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) invites the media
to report on the "March for Freedom of Expression and
Non-Violence in Cambodia" from Phnom Penh to Oudong from February 11-13,
2006. After the release or return of various Cambodian civil
rights activists this peaceful march shall demonstrate the ongoing need and
support for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia. The
participants will demand that all criminal defamation lawsuits against
activists are dropped immediately and unconditionally. They will call
on the Royal Government and the National Assembly to put on track legal
reforms for the decriminalization of defamation. At the same
time the participants will express their deep conviction that human rights
can only be realized by peaceful means. Therefore, the marchers
are heading to Phnom Oudong where they will participate in the celebration
of "Bon Meak Bochea" on Monday, February 13th. This
commemoration of Buddha's funeral is traditionally linked with the ideas of
peace, tolerance and non-violence (Sanskrit: ahimsa).
Press conference
with leading Cambodian human rights activists on February
11th, 2006, 8 o'clock a.m., at Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh start of
the march at 8:30 a.m.
The march will
consist of a core group of 50 nominated by member
organizations of the AFEC. The public along the way will be invited to
participate in the march during the whole time or on a part of the way that
is about 50 kilometers totally. All participants will wear Yellow
Ribbons as symbols for the demand for Freedom of Expression. The core group
will wear t-shirts with the same symbol and hold large foam
models of it. The marchers will be accompanied by two ox-carts carrying big
banners with the message of the march. The participants
are invited by the Pagodas of Chetha Udom and Pakdemakor to stay overnight.
Human rights monitors from LICADHO and CCHR will accompany the marchers.
For more
information please contact: Mr. Ou, Virak, General Secretary of the
AFEC H/P: 012 404 051
Contact address:
Secretariat of the Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia, c/o
Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), # 42, Street 242, Sangkat
Chak Tomuk, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh ,Cambodia. Phone: (855-23) 991
844, Fax: (855-23) 218 843, E-mail: afec@cchr-cambodia.org
Links for more:
http://www.freesokha.com/pdf/2006_02_07_AFEC_Press_Invitation_for_March_Khmer.pdf
http://www.freesokha.com/pdf/2006_02_07_AFEC_Press_Invitation_for_March_to_Oudong__in_English_.pdf
http://www.freesokha.com/pdf/The_March_Program_in_English.pdf
http://www.freesokha.com/pdf/The_March_Program_in_English.pdf