Following the violent dispersal of protestors nearby Prime Minister Hun Sen’s home earlier today, LICADHO is now treating 17 patients. At least 4 of them (one woman and three men) have moderate injuries from beatings sustained by security guards. One of the injured is an 18 year old boy who was beaten on the head. He is currently being observed and may be admitted to hospital later.

The protestors from Kantuot commune, Choan Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, included men, women, and young children who were protesting in Phnom Penh to request assistance in ongoing land conflicts that have affected over 200 families.

They intended to march to the Chinese, Russian, and Australian embassies, before submitting a petition to the home of Prime Minister Hun Sen. However, the protestors were blocked on their way to the Prime Minister’s house, where they were severely beaten.