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Article | Families, Activists Mark Sixth Anniversary of Veng Sreng Violence3 January 2020
About 70 unionists, land activists, workers and rights activists gathered in Phnom Penh this morning to mark the sixth anniversary of security forces opening fire on striking workers on Phnom Penh’s Veng Sreng Boulevard on January 3, 2014, leaving four dead, one missing and dozens injured.
Participants held a Buddhist ceremony and memorial service at the office of the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), which was also attended by several family members of the killed and missing workers.
10 May 2018
This morning the Court of Appeal upheld the convictions of 11 CNRP officials and supporters convicted of insurrection offences related to a demonstration marred by clashes between para-police and demonstrators on 15 July 2014. The verdict, delivered in just three minutes, upheld prison sentences of between seven and 20 years.
The verdict followed a protracted appeal process that first began in 2016 and was concluded by three days of hearings between 23 and 25 April this year. During these hearings live testimony was extremely limited. The plaintiffs were unable to identify the defendants as perpetrators and admitted other individuals had in fact written at least some of the original complaints.
Additional and virtually identical statements from almost 40 absent members of the Daun Penh para-police were read on to the record, which prevented any cross-examination by defence lawyers.
20 July 2016
This morning, the Phnom Penh Appeal Court upheld CNRP activist Ouk Pich Samnang’s conviction, in a case relating to an October 2014 protest in which he had been injured by Daun Penh district security guards.
Samnang had been tried and convicted in September 2015 of intentional violence and obstructing authorities and sentenced to two years in prison, in a decision largely decried due to lack of evidence and contradictory witness testimony.
During the appeal hearing, held on June 30, 2016, Samnang repeatedly challenged the legitimacy of his conviction, denied having committed any violence and expressed skepticism that his appeal would be allowed. Witness testimony was once again contradictory and limited evidence was presented to justify the trial court’s decision.
13 June 2016
This morning, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced three CNRP youth members to seven years’ imprisonment for their participation in the July 15, 2014 protest in Freedom Park.
The three men – Yea Thong, Roeun Chetra and Yun Kimhour – were found guilty of participation in an insurrectionary movement under Articles 456 and 457 of the Cambodian Criminal Code. Throughout the trial, conducted by judge Mong Mony Sophea, the defence lawyers were blocked from questioning key witnesses and the prosecution produced limited evidence to substantiate their claims.
All three men have been detained since August 2015. They join 11 other CNRP supporters and officials similarly convicted under insurrection charges and sentenced to between seven and 20 years’ imprisonment in relation to the same protest in July 2015.
17 March 2016
This morning, the Appeal Court began hearings against the convictions of 11 CNRP supporters and officials arrested in late 2014 for their involvement in a July 2014 pro-CNRP protest which turned violent.
The 11 were convicted of charges relating to insurrection and violence in July 2015 following a farcical trial and sentenced to between seven and 20 years’ imprisonment. Today’s hearing covered mostly procedural grounds, with the Appeal Court set to return to the case at a later date. Judges also denied a request from one of the 11, Meach Sovannara, to access medical treatment outside the country.
21 July 2015
This afternoon, 11 officials and supporters of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) were convicted of charges relating to insurrection and sentenced to between seven and 20 years imprisonment. They were taken to CC1 prison immediately following the sentencing.
13 April 2015
This afternoon, eight more of the Free the 19 activists were released from detention in Prey Sar’s CC1 prison.
Three defrocked monks – Venerable Seung Hai, Venerable Khith Vannak, and Venerable Sang Kosal – and five CNRP members and supporters – Meach Sovannara, Sum Puthy, Tep Narin, Ke Khim, and Ouk Pich Samnang – were released on bail. All eight were arrested between September and November last year and face a variety of charges. The cases against all those released remain open.
The five CNRP members and supporters will be required to post bail by April 20. Meach Sovannara bail was set at 10 million riel while Sum Puthy, Tep Narin, Ke Khim, and Ouk Pich Samnang have been requested to post 3 million riel each.
27 March 2015
The trial of 11 members, officials, and supporters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court has concluded for the day.
The court denied another bail request for both Ouch Pich Samnang and Tep Narin, while concluding testimony of Ouern Narith and beginning testimony of Khin Chamreun. All defendants will reappear before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court at 8 am on April 20.
CNRP national election candidate for Banteay Meanchey and online radio owner, Meach Sovannara, Official of Public Affairs Department, Ouern Narith, and Chief of Phnom Penh Youths, Khin Chamreun, have all been charged with participating in and leading an insurrectionary movement (Criminal Code articles 456, 457, and 459). CNRP Chbar Ampov council member Sum Puthy, Chbar Ampov district youth leader, Neang Sokhun, Tuol Kork district youth leader San Kimheng, youth members Tep Narin, San Seihak, and An Batham, along with CNRP supporters, Ouk Pich Samnang and Ke Khim, have all been charged with participating in an insurrectionary movement (Criminal Code articles 456 and 457).
24 February 2015
The trial of 11 Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) members and supporters was due to be held yesterday at 8 am at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. Last Thursday, and at very short notice, lawyers for the 11 were informed that the hearing had been postponed. All have been charged with offences they are alleged to have committed during violence which took place at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014. This is the third time there has been a delay in hearing the criminal case against them. Five of the 11 - Meach Sovannara, Sum Puthy, Tep Narin, Ouk Pich Samnang, and Ke Khim - are among the group of ‘Free the 19’ detainees currently imprisoned in Prey Sar’s Correctional Center 1 and Correctional Center 2 .
1 January 2015
One year on from the state violence of early January 2014 which led to the deaths of at least four men and the hospitalization of dozens, the disappearance of a teenage boy and the wrongful imprisonment of 23 union leaders, activists and workers, we the undersigned civil society organizations condemn the lack of progress made in investigating these human rights violations and in punishing those responsible.
25 December 2014
The trial of 11 CNRP leaders and supporters ended abruptly today at 4pm after the judge and prosecutor returned from a five-hour lunch recess. Earlier the judge had announced that the trial would be held over three non-consecutive days. The next hearing will be in two two weeks from now on January 8 at 8am. This morning’s proceedings consisted of arguments for and against bail release for the five detained. Bail was rejected for all five.
During proceedings around 400-500 police and three fire trucks were stationed inside Olympic Stadium near the court near where hundreds of people had gathered in support.
22 December 2014
Eleven officials and supporters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) have recently been summonsed to appear for trial at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on December 25, 2014, to answer charges of either leading or participating in an “insurrectionary movement.” LICADHO strongly condemns the continued criminal proceedings on these politically motivated allegations and takes this opportunity to release a detailed timeline of events since July 15, 2014, showing the course of criminal proceedings against opposition party members and supporters alongside political negotiations between the ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) and the opposition CNRP.
22 December 2014
The violence that erupted at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014, led to a series of politically orchestrated events at the hand of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). The arrests of various officials from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), including elected Members of Parliament (MPs), alongside ongoing political negotiations offers clear evidence that the judiciary is firmly within the hands of the CPP, once again raising serious concerns about the legitimacy and independence of Cambodia’s legal system.
8 December 2014
On Wednesday, Cambodia will celebrate International Human Rights Day. LICADHO takes this opportunity to recall attention to the 19 men and women who have been wrongfully imprisoned following a recent spate of arrests in Phnom Penh. LICADHO condemns these imprisonments and the continued abuse of the judicial system by the ruling party and well-connected individuals.
18 November 2014
This morning some 150 community members and monks gathered in front of the Embassy of the United States in support of Venerable Luon Sovath, while demanding the release of more than a dozen activists and monks who were arrested and imprisoned last week.
Venerable Sovath is submitting letters of invitation to 13 embassies, calling on dignitaries to witness his trial on November 25 at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. He is being tried on alleged charges of incitement.
Additionally, community members and monks are submitting petitions at the same embassies to request the release of more than a dozen activists and monks who are being detained at CC1 and CC2 in Prey Sar Prison. Venerable Sovath and the 150 community members and monks, will march to a total of 13 embassies including Britain, Singapore, Russia, Thailand, China, Australia, Republic of Korea, the European Union, and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
13 November 2014
Earlier this morning, CNRP youth member Tep Narin was arrested by local authorities after failing to report at a local Phnom Penh police station. Narin was required to present himself before police once every two weeks while under judicial supervision.
Narin has been accused by case prosecutor Keo Socheat of taking part in the violence that occurred at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
He is currently being detained at the Phnom Penh police station.
11 November 2014
CNRP official Meach Sovannara has been detained at Prey Sar CC1 Prison this afternoon, following his arrest this morning in Phnom Penh in relation to the violence that occurred at Freedom Park on July 15 this year.
Investigating Judge Keo Mony has charged Sovannara under articles: 28 and 218 (instigating aggravated, intentional violence); 495 (inciting others to commit a felony); and 459 (leading an insurrectional movement) of the criminal code. Article 459 carries a potential sentence of 30 years' imprisonment.
In total, 14 CNRP officials and activists have been arrested over the violence at Freedom Park on July 15. Of those, three are currently in detention: Ouk Pich Samnang; CNRP Chbar Ampov elected district council member Sum Puthy; and CNRP official Meach Sovannara.
11 November 2014
CNRP official Meach Sovannara was arrested by authorities this morning in Phnom Penh in relation to the violence that occurred at Freedom Park on July 15 this year. He is presently detained at Phnom Penh High Crime Police Station.
Sovannara was previously summonsed by Investigating Judge Keo Mony to Phnom Penh Municipal Court on September 1 over the Freedom Park violence. However, Sovannara was abroad at the time and could not appear before the court.
In total, 14 CNRP officials and activists have been arrested over the violence at Freedom Park on July 15.
29 September 2014
Earlier today, CNRP Chbar Ampov elected district council member Sum Puthy was arrested in relation to the violence that took place on July 15 at Freedom Park. He was last seen this morning by his wife after going to the local market. Photos have emerged through government media sources, placing Puthy at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. He is to be sent to CC1 at Prey Sar Prison for pre-trial detention.
Sum Puthy is the twelfth CNRP official arrested in relation to the Freedom Park violence.
22 August 2014
At 9.30am this morning, the three CNRP youth leaders arrested and imprisoned at CC1 on August 2 were released on bail for a total deposit amount of $1,000. Khin Chamreun, San Kimheng and Neang Sokhun will be granted provisional release under judicial supervision. Lawyers are processing court papers to release them this evening.
Chamreun was originally named in the court documents filed by case prosecutor Keo Socheat on July 16 in which he was formally accused, along with the other eight CNRP officials, of inciting and instigating violence, and leading an insurrectional movement. Kimheng and Sokhun are accused of acts of violence, obstructing public officials and taking part in an insurrectional movement.
An additional summons is still standing for five other CNRP members who are scheduled to appear for questioning before Phnom Penh Municipal Court in the coming weeks.