A

speaker emphasizes a point at a forum held by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights

(CCHR) at Wat Svay Poper in Phnom Penh on May 31.

The rally is only the second CCHR event to be held at a temple since Tep Vong, supreme

patriarch of the Mohanika Buddhist order, announced a ban on using temples for the

purpose of rallies in February 2005.

About 300 people attended the forum, including at least 30 monks and a dozen security

guards. Speakers from the public addressed a panel consisting of Lao Mong Hay, head

of legal unit at the Center for Social Development, Sok Sam Oeun, executive director

of the Cambodian Defenders Project and Yim Sovann, a Sam Rainsy Party MP.

Kem Sokha, director of CCHR, was too busy to attend the event, said an assistant.

The first forum was held at Wat Tang Kok in Kampong Thom on May 25.