Calls for state holiday to mark Kem Ley’s murder

Mourners surround a car containing the body of slain political analyst Kem Ley as it drives through Phnom Penh following his murder last month. Heng Chivoan

The Grassroots Democracy Party is planning to request that the anniversary of Kem Ley’s murder be made a national holiday called Freedom of Expression Day.

Ley, a political analyst who co-founded the party established on August 2 last year, was shot dead on July 10 in what many have termed an assassination.

“If the government denies it, we will declare July 10 as [such] when we have the state power, because many Cambodian people consider [Ley] a legend of freedom of expression because he dared to say the truth,” party director Yeng Virak said yesterday, adding that he planned to file documents for the request this week.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said though Ley was popular, he could not be considered a hero. “Has Kem Ley received any honourable position from the royal decree yet? No, he has not,” he said.

Transparency International Cambodia executive director Preap Kol said the day should be recognised to remind people of Ley’s actions for the country.

Contact author: Lay Samean

MOST VIEWED

Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO
Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in
Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia
In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the
Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing
To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable
Ream base allegations must end, urges official
A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical
CP denied registration documents by ministry
The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do
Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings
Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument