(VOVworld) – At the opening of a power plant in Sihanouk city on Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen asked for the lifting of the ban on protests to protect the freedom and equal rights of its citizens.

Cambodian police arrested extremist protesters on the outskirts of capital Phnom Penh on January 3rd (Photo: AFP)

Mr. Hun Sen noted that there are two protest movements in Cambodia now: one supporting the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and the other supporting the government. He called on authorities to protect protesters from both movements during rallies and demonstrations.

The Cambodian government recently banned all rallies in the capital, Phnom Penh, following clashes at demonstrations by workers earlier this year which killed at least 5 people and injured 40 others.