Cambodian monks injured in protest
At least three Cambodian Buddhist monks have been injured during a protest on Friday against Vietnam, which they accuse of suppressing the religious rights of its Cambodian minority.
A group of 40 monks tried to deliver a letter to the Vietnamese embassy calling for the release of three jailed Cambodian monks but were forced away from the compound by 200 riot police.
Scuffles ensued when they took their protest first to the royal palace, then the US embassy.
"We should not have been hit just because we held a peace march and wanted to deliver a protest letter," said Lim Yuth, 23, who suffered a head injury.
Two other monks suffered injuries after pro-government protesters pelted them with bottles and rocks, Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said.
The protest was timed five days ahead a visit by the head of Vietnam's national assembly.
Vietnam denies accusations by rights groups that it represses human rights and religious freedoms. The government has an official policy of a citizen's rights to "belief or non-belief".
Australian Associated Press - April 20, 2007.
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