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07:27 ICT Mar 8

Barricades at Freedom Park

Participants are expected to arrive at Freedom Park at 8.00 am. They will be met by barricades.

Omar Havana a Phnom Penh-based photojournalist is at Freedom Park.

07:55 ICT Mar 8

LICADHO monitors on the scene at Freedom Park report security guards kicking motorbikes and hitting them with batons. At the same they are forcing journalists and observers from the site.

Updated at 13:16 ICT

08:11 ICT Mar 8

LICADHO monitors around the city are reporting that police have set up check points on several national roads. So far the roads are not blocked and they are letting people pass. Checkpoints confirmed by our monitors are located at

  • National road #1: Check point in front of Borey Peng Huot in Chhbar Ambov district
  • National road #2: Check point at Takmao roundabout in front of provincial court
  • National road #5: Check point at Preak Pnov bridge in northern Phnom Penh.

Updated at 08:26 ICT

08:29 ICT Mar 8

Crowds Gather

Having been blocked from entering Freedom Park, a small crowd of about 250 people have gathered at the Dragon Bridge on Norodom Boulevard to the side of Freedom Park. Some union leaders have begun to arrive and security guards are standing close by.

08:41 ICT Mar 8

Around 40 monks and 100 members of Boeung Kak, Borei Keila and Tmor Kol communities are marching to the Ministry of Women's Affairs to mark International Women's Day.

Moses Ngeth, a staff member from local NGO Community Legal Education Center is at the scene.

Updated at 08:48 ICT

08:52 ICT Mar 8

Marchers blocked

The marchers have now had their route blocked by large numbers of police. The marchers are calling on police to respect women's rights.

Updated at 13:18 ICT

08:56 ICT Mar 8

Senior journalists are covering events. Freelance journalist Robert Carmichael and Cambodia Daily Editor-in-Chief are close at hand.

Updated at 09:02 ICT

09:14 ICT Mar 8

At the Dragon Bridge next to Freedom Park, about 500 people are gathered. Their way is blocked by security guards but about 100 of them have managed to walk slowly together to the edge of the barricaded park. The security guards retreated as they walked.

Updated at 09:15 ICT

09:27 ICT Mar 8

Union leaders have managed to move to the edge of Freedom Park where they are addressing the public and the media.

Meanwhile, at Freedom Park, the standoff continues. Cambodia Daily Editor-in-Chief is reporting from the site.

Updated at 09:35 ICT

09:53 ICT Mar 8

On Monivong Boulevard, the marchers have given up their attempts to proceed and are turning round and going back to their villages to celebrate International Women's Day there. They have been unable to deliver their petition which called for justice for the 21 men who remain in detention after their arrests in early January. Among the 21 is Chan Puthisak whose wife was marching with the group today.

The petition asked the Ministry of Women's Affairs to:

intervene with the court in the case of arrested land rights activist, Chan Puthisak and open the hearing immediately for the 20 other arrested people in order to provide justice and to release the 21 without condition so that they can meet with their families.

Updated at 09:59 ICT

10:07 ICT Mar 8

At Freedom Park, the forum has now started and workers are sharing their experiences and their thoughts about the minimum wage. The woman in this photo explained to the crowd that despite being illiterate, she knows her rights; she appealed for the release of the 21 and recounted how she is moved to tears when she thinks about her salary.

10:28 ICT Mar 8

Forces gather as workers peacefully share their stories

LICADHO monitors at Freedom Park have spotted a build up of police with tear gas launchers at the edge of the park not far from where the peaceful workers' forum is taking place.

Updated at 10:30 ICT

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As situations unfold, we will provide on-the-ground updates from our field monitors and reliable sources, such as journalists and civil society partners.

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