Amid reports that riot police have been deployed in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh to break up anti-Government protests, the United Nations labor agency on Tuesday urged everyone to remain calm and reiterated calls for a probe into police action.
The UN International Labor Organization (ILO) is "deeply disturbed" by the continuing violence in Cambodia, including reports of another crackdown on protesting workers on Sunday, the UN agency said in a statement.
"The ILO urges all parties to refrain from further violence, and to take all steps necessary for the release of the trade union leaders and workers detained for having participated in the strike over the minimum wage," the Geneva-based agency said.
It also extended its assistance to all parties "to work towards the resolution of this conflict through dialogue."
Members of the opposition have been boycotting the Cambodian National Assembly since the middle of last year in a reported attempt to oust Prime Minister Hun Sen, whose win in July extended his 28-year rule, alleging vote-rigging and calling for a new election.
The opposition has since been joined by the garment workers pressing for higher wages, stalling an industry that supports 400,000 jobs and accounts for some $5 billion per year in exports.
The clashes escalated, resulting in riot police reportedly killing at least four workers demonstrating on January 3, and detaining dozens of others.
The ILO has called for the Government to launch an independent inquiry to determine the circumstances of police action and the deaths, assaults and arrests of workers during that strike.
The inquiry should determine responsibilities and punish those responsible where appropriate, as well as outline the steps to prevent the repetition of such acts, the UN agency detailed in a statement.
Wrapping up a week-long visit to Cambodia earlier this month, Surya P. Subedi, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the country, stressed that the ongoing political and social tensions have a direct impact on the enjoyment of human rights by all Cambodians. He called for flexibility on both sides to reach a political compromise.
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