Topic: Expression and Assembly
News: Arrests for defamation calls into question freedom of expression
Pages: Published on October 21, 2005; On 11 October, 2005 at approximately 7 am, Mr Mam Sonando, director of Beehive Radio FM 105, was removed from his house in Kean Svay Districtm Kandal Province. He was arrested without warrant by Kandal Police and was witnessed by media representatives and NGO workers.
On the same morning Mr Mam Sonando was brought before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court where he was charged with defamation under Article 63 of the UNTAC Law. The charges related to the broadcasting on 20 September 2005 of a radio interview between Mr Mam Sonando and Mr Sean Pengse, the former President of the Paris-based Cambodia's Border Committee.
Published on July 29, 2005; Civil Society Organizations are deeply concerned on the decline of the rights and function of Member of Parliament (MP) mainly the freedom of expression. Civil Society Organizations have noted that political Parties influence has been increased, mostly political leader over the MP in 1st legislation started from the parliamentary membership withdrawal of H.E.Mr. Sam Rainsy from FUNCINPEC 3 senators; H.E.Mr. Chhang Song, H.E.Mr. Phay Siphan and H.E.Mr. Pou Savath; of Cambodian People Party (CPP), and the recently attempt for parliamentary membership withdrawal of H.E.Mr. Khem Veasna from Sam Rainsy (SRP).
Published on March 20, 2005; The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 local NGOs working on human rights issues, expressed concern about reports that the Cambodian government is investigating and considering the closure of the Highlanders Association, an association of indigenous community people in Ratanakiri.
“We this is a threat to freedom of association, a fundamental right enshrined in the Cambodian constitution,” said Mr.Sok Sam Oeun, Chairman of CHRAC. “It’s disappointing to see pressure being put on a community-based organization, that advocates for indigenous minority rights.”
Published on December 7, 2004; More than 300 Cambodian NGO workers marched through Phnom Penh on Monday December 6 to demand an end to nearly two years of arbitrary restrictions by government authorities on marches, demonstrations and other public gatherings.
“Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, which are the foundation of all human rights and of a democratic society, are in serious peril in Cambodia,” said Kek Galabru, LICADHO president and chairperson of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), which organized the march. “The government must respect and protect those rights.”
Published on December 6, 2004; The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) is deeply concerned about arbitrary restrictions placed on freedom of assembly and expression in Cambodia, and also the level of violence against peaceful public marchers, demonstrators and labor strikers. In the interests of protecting these freedoms, in order to promote democratic public debate vital to good governance, CHRAC makes the following recommendations: ...
Published on November 1, 2004; Since January 2003 the Cambodian government has cracked down on gatherings and demonstrations in Phnom Penh, regardless of their peaceful nature, by repeatedly denying requests for such events. Those which have gone ahead unauthorized have faced police intimidation, violence, detention and arrests.
This briefing paper records some of the numerous occasions since January 2003 when gatherings and demonstrations have been blocked or suppressed by the Phnom Penh authorities, violating the fundamental right of Cambodian citizens to freedom of speech and assembly.
Published on October 7, 2004; On October 4, 2004, more than 1,000 workers from the Rav Yu garment factory in Sihanoukville began a protest demanding improved working conditions and the reinstatement of 41 co-workers who had been fired during a labor dispute in September.
Published on September 7, 2004; LICADHO staff in Phnom Penh was called to monitor demonstrators protesting the recent rise in gasoline prices in Cambodia. Despite the peaceful nature of the march, the municipal police detained seven demonstrators as they approached the Khan Chamcar Mon police station.
Published on August 26, 2004; LICADHO monitors in Kampong Chhnang province investigated the demonstration of approximately 3,000 workers when violence broke out on the third day of protesting factory labor conditions. Workers from the International Garment Im Ve company (MTV) in Tuol Kralanh Village, Kampong Chhnang commune, district and province have been demonstrating in front of the factory since August 23.
Published on June 11, 2004; At a meeting in Ratanakiri on June 10, 2004, the Provincial governor informed NGO representatives that in future, permission would be required to leave the province.CHRAC strongly supports people’s right to travel freely and condemns any attempt to prevent people; and calls upon the Royal government of Cambodia and local authorities to immediately withdraw all such restrictions on travel.
Published on June 1, 2004; The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 17 local human rights NGOs, strongly condemns the crackdown on the peaceful demonstration to demand a decrease in the gasoline price by the Student Movement for Democracy association in Phnom Penh on June 1, 2004, and the arrest of 5 demonstrators.
Published on May 11, 2004; The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 17 local Human Rights NGOs, deplores the killing of Mr. Ros Sovanareth, representative of the Free Trade Union of workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia ( FTUWKC) and the president of Trinunggal Komara Factory Union. Ros Sovanareth was shot dead on May 7, 2004, on Kampuchea Krom boulevard, Sangkat Tek Laok, Khan Touk Kok, Phnom Penh. CHRAC sends its condolences to the family's victim. "This is the second killing of a union leader this year, while the perpetrators who killed Chea Vichea, the president of the Free Trade Union association, have not been found" said Dr. Kek Galabru, the Chairperson of CHRAC and President of Licadho, adding that "this event intimidates the people and aggravates the political atmosphere."
Published on January 22, 2004; The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) deplores the killing of union leader Chea Vichea this morning, and demands swift action by the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. Chea Vichea, President of the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was shot dead at approximately 9:30 AM while reading a newspaper at a newstand on Street 51 near Wat Lanka in Phnom Penh. An unidentified gunman walked up to him and shot him three times, before escaping with an accomplice who had been waiting on a motorcycle.
Published on December 15, 2003; CHRAC urged the Cambodian government to grant permission to two organizations to organize a rally to celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day, despite indications from the government that permission would not be granted.
Published on October 23, 2003; CHRAC expressed concern about tension and security in Cambodia following the shooting of popular singer Touch Sunich, which followed only a few days after the murder of a radio station editor.
