Activists: Cambodia blocks rights march

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The Cambodian government cracked down on some activities held in Phnom Penh to mark International Human Rights Day, participants said.

A march by 2,000 people from Olympic Stadium in the capital to Freedom Park and a rally in the park went on as planned Monday, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

But police barred demonstrators protesting evictions from marching to the Council of Ministers. Neup Ly, an official with the Housing Rights Council, was briefly detained after he snapped a photo of Municipal Police Chief Choun Sovan, police said.

Activists said a woman participating in the march was knocked down by police and kicked in the stomach.

Police also removed a tent set up in the Sen Sok district. Officials said activists had not applied for a city permit to erect the tent, although they had notified district officials.