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Protesters defy Cambodian leader

Young people were among the demonstrators who marched in Phnom Penh.Charly Two/AFP

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Tens of thousands of antigovernment demonstrators marched through Phnom Penh on Sunday in one of the biggest acts of defiance against the nearly three-decade rule of Cambodia’s authoritarian prime minister, Hun Sen.

The procession, which was peaceful and stretched for several miles through a commercial district of Phnom Penh, the capital, brought together protesters with a diverse list of grievances: Buddhist monks, garment workers, farmers, and supporters of the main opposition party.

They were united in their calls for Hun Sen to step down; their chants — “Hun Sen! Get Out!” — echoing down the broad avenue where they marched.

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In July, Hun Sen’s party claimed victory in disputed elections that the opposition and many independent monitoring organizations said were seriously flawed.

Hun Sen formed a government despite the growing protests by the opposition, which has boycotted Parliament and is calling for new elections.

Protesters blocking traffic and marching through downtown Phnom Penh remain a jarring sight after years during which the main message from the government has been that people should be grateful for the unity and development that Hun Sen brought to Cambodia after many years of war.

New York Times