Sunday, November 21, 2010

Chea Vichea Documentary Banned

On April 30, 2010 Phnom Penh Municipal Governor refused the proposal by Rong Chun, the President of the Cambodia Independent Teacher’s Association and also the Cambodian Confederation Union to cast the documentary of Chea Vichea’s killing, which was planned on the International Labor’s Day, May 01, 2010.

In a letter sent to Mr. Rong Chhun that day, Kep Chutema claimed that reason which the government decided to reject the request that the film had not had a license from concerned ministries.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry’s spokesman Kiev Sopheak said that the Ministry had not received correspondence from the City Hall about the activity plan of CITA’s president; therefore the ministry did not yet make the final decision to agree on the request.

On May 01, 2010 saw joint armed forces, police and military police were deployed along the way, where the march was going. They were trying to block those workers, but it was impossible. There was no violence taking place during the authority were trying to ban at all.

It has been seen that the prohibition of the film display of “Who killed Chea Vichea” coincidently took place as planned in advance. The authorities had agreed in common to do that. This act refected the violation on freedom of receiving information. It also showed the weakness of the authority to hold their responsibility in seeking for the real perpetrators in the killing of Chea Vichea.

For the above reason, Yim Sovann, a lawmaker from Sam Rainsy Party said they planned to host a screening of the documentary at its headquarters on an unspecified date in the future.

However, Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers, said the government had the right to block the screenings of the film wherever they are held if the organizers have not sought the government admission.

Whereas Khieu Kanharith, the Information Minister accused Sam Rainsy Party members of using Chea Vichea’ s ghost for its political gain.

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