LIBRARY

15 January 2024

Hundreds of Siem Reap residents marched to the provincial hall this morning to submit a petition asking for intervention from the national government and UNESCO to stop newly enforced restrictions on buildings and repairs implemented by the APSARA Authority, the government agency which oversees the Angkor Archaeological Park.

Around 500 people from Puok district’s Khnat commune and Siem Reap city’s Tuek Vil commune marched with banners to Siem Reap Provincial Hall to submit a petition asking Prime Minister Hun Manet, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, and the United Nations agency UNESCO to stop APSARA from causing fear and preventing any new construction or renovations in Khnat commune, which the petition says is very far from the Angkor structure.

The residents were temporarily blocked by around 20 military police and Puok district governor Sin Chanthol, who wanted only 4 to 5 people to submit the petition, but villagers refused and continued their march to the provincial hall, reaching the hall’s main entrance with their banners. One of the banners held by a community member said, “We must not allow the Apsara Authority to continue to oppress our community.”

7 January 2024

Around 12 youth and environmental activists and a foreign national were taken into custody and questioned for several hours by local Phnom Penh and immigration authorities after peacefully advocating for the preservation of a coastal island in Koh Kong province.

The activists were exercising, holding banners and taking photographs on Phnom Penh riverside this morning while being monitored by non-uniformed security personnel. As they were leaving the area, Daun Penh district security guards forced them onto a truck and took them to the district office for questioning.

6 January 2024

Outspoken social commentator Ny Nak was sent to pre-trial detention by a Phnom Penh court this morning after being questioned on charges of incitement to discriminate and defamation on Friday.

Nak claimed the charges were filed due to a Facebook post in which he questioned the government’s decision to give away 91 hectares of land in Kampot province to an individual named Heng Sour. A local newspaper identified the land recipient as the current Minister of Labour Heng Sour, but that was later denied by the government. Nak is being held at Phnom Penh’s Correctional Center 1.

Nak said his arrest was due to a complaint filed by Sour over at least one of Nak’s social media posts, made on 17 December 2023, which asked, “What achievements has Heng Sour done for the Khmer nation, that the government gave him forest land as his personal property? RIP Khmer forests.”

3 January 2024

Around 100 people gathered at Solidarity House in Phnom Penh this afternoon to mark 10 years since the fatal violence that took place at the capital’s Veng Sreng Boulevard, when mixed government forces opened fire on striking workers, killing at least four and wounding 38. Khem Sophath, a child at the time, was shot and remains missing to this day.

The remembrance was attended by union, association and NGO leaders and members, and began with prayers by monks. Vorn Pao, president of the Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), who was beaten and arrested in 2014 while observing a strike in front of the Yak Jin factory the day before the shootings, spoke at the event.

“The second of January was a tragic day… Before the police arrested us, they did not tell us about the charges and we could not meet with a lawyer. We were protesting for increasing the salary for the worker,” Pao said.

19 October 2023

The Phnom Penh Appeal Court today upheld the convictions of eight current and former unionists from the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU).

Nine activists, including union President Chhim Sithar, were convicted of incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in May 2023. Eight of the activists appealed the verdict. They included Sithar, who received the maximum sentence of two years in prison; Chhim Sokhorn, Hay Sopheap, Kleang Soben, Sun Srey Pich and Touch Sereymeas, who were sentenced to 18 months in prison; and Sok Narith and Ry Sovandy, who received one-year suspended sentences.

The Appeal Court trial started this morning. The court announced its verdict upholding the lower court’s judgment in full this afternoon after deliberating for 30 minutes. Sok Kongkea, who was also convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and received a suspended sentence, did not appeal the lower court’s verdict.

18 October 2023

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court today announced its guilty verdict for Thach Setha, Vice-President of the opposition Candlelight Party, on charges of incitement to commit a felony and incitement to discriminate. Setha was convicted for a speech that he made to supporters of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) early this year.

The court found Setha guilty under Articles 494, 495 and 496 of the Criminal Code, and imposed the maximum prison sentence of three years as well as a fine of 4 million riel (about US$1,000).

The charges were in relation to a speech that Setha gave on 8 January 2023 during a visit to South Korea. The speech criticised the celebration of 7 January, an official holiday marking the toppling of the Khmer Rouge regime, and which the opposition often critically refers to when speaking of the Vietnamese government’s presence in Cambodia throughout the 1980s. Setha also referred to connections between the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and the Khmer Rouge. Setha’s speech was videotaped and posted on YouTube by an unknown source. Setha was subsequently ordered to be held in pre-trial detention.

10 October 2023

We are the undersigned association, unions, civil society organization, active youths, are deeply concern after receiving information about Angkor Plywood Co. Ltd's request for a five-year extension of timber exports from 2022 to 2026. Based on reported by RFA, on July 7, 2023, titled “Angkor Plywood Company Continues to Export Rare Timber for Sale Abroad,” the Office of the Council of Ministers granted permission to postpone the export of timber until the end of 2023 in response to the company's request to export timber for five years.

To maintain sustainable natural resources in Cambodia, we, as associations, NGOs, unions, local communities, and youth groups, call on the Cambodian government to take serious action. Specifically, we urge the authorities to revoke Angkor Plywood Co. Ltd's timber export license and investigate their illegal export of rare timber species abroad. Such actions are in violation of Cambodian law and pose a significant threat to the country's valuable natural resources.

5 October 2023

More than 100 people from unions and organisations including the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) today gathered at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. The event was monitored by around 20 uniformed and plainclothes authorities, who prevented participants from marching. Participants instead remained at Freedom Park, and a representative from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport received their petition.

Many attendees held banners calling for the elimination of corruption in Cambodia’s education system, freedom of association for teachers, and an increase of teachers’ salaries and benefits. Other signs called for the release of prisoners such as the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) President Chhim Sithar and prominent activist Seng Theary.

Participants included representatives from CITA, LRSU, the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) and other activists. Eight speakers delivered speeches including Ouk Chhayavy, President of CITA; Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) and Vice-President of the Candlelight Party; Long Rim, CITA board member; Ath Thun, President of CLC; Mom Sovandin, LRSU member; Thon Chantha, Candlelight Party youth leader; Heng Choeurn, President of the Cambodian Agricultural Workers Federation (CAWF) and CLC member; and political activist Prum Chantha.

29 September 2023

The Phnom Penh Appeal Court today announced its verdict upholding criminal charges against four out of 10 people who were arrested in front of Phnom Penh's Yak Jin garment factory on 2 January 2014, one day before the violence that took place along Veng Sreng Boulevard in January 2014. The strike was notoriously shut down on 3 January 2014 when mixed government forces opened fire on the striking workers.

The 10 workers were convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in 2014 of instigating intentional acts of violence with aggravating circumstances, contrary to Articles 28 and 218 of the Criminal Code. Out of the 10 defendants, only four (Chan Puthisak, a Boeung Kak Lake land activist; Theng Savoeun, President of the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC); Sokun Sambath Piseth, a former staff member at Center for Labor Rights of Cambodia; and Vorn Pao, President of the Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA)) appealed their sentences.

The Appeal Court upheld the Municipal Court’s decision to sentence Theng Savoeun to four years’ imprisonment, as well as its sentences of four years and six months for Chan Puthisak, Sokun Sambath Piseth, and Vorn Pao, all of which were suspended by the lower court. All four had already spent between 3 January and 30 May 2014 in prison. The Appeal Court also dropped the 8 million riel fine (around US $2,000) imposed by the lower court on all four defendants.

15 August 2023

The Koh Kong Provincial Court this afternoon convicted 10 Koh Kong land activists of malicious denunciation and incitement to disturb social security, including three activists who have been detained in prison since June on separate cases. Around 60 community members from 197 Land Community and 955 Land Community gathered outside the court in support of the activists as the verdict was read.

The 10 convicted activists are Chhan Chheurn, Det Huor, Erb Vy, Erp Teung, Heng Chey, Inn Thou, Kert Nov, Kong Men, Puo Houn, and Sok Chey. All 10 were sentenced to one year’s imprisonment and ordered to collectively pay 40 million riel (approximately US$9,600) in compensation to tycoon Heng Huy. Erb Vy’s sentence was fully suspended, while the remaining nine intend to appeal the verdict.

Det Huor, Heng Chey and Sok Chey were already detained in Koh Kong Provincial Prison as a result of separate cases, and were transported to the court in a blacked out police van. They will remain in prison on those separate charges, while no arrest warrants were issued for the six other activists whose sentences were not suspended, indicating they will remain out of prison pending appeal.

4 August 2023

Three Koh Kong land activists were this week found guilty of criminal charges including defamation, incitement, and malicious denunciation for their peaceful activism in defence of their communities’ land rights.

On 2 August 2023, the Koh Kong Provincial Court found two women activists guilty of defamation and incitement to disturb social security. Phav Nheung and Seng Lin were sentenced to one year’s imprisonment each and ordered to pay 40 million riel (approximately US $9,600) in compensation to the plaintiff. Both were the target of a complaint launched by former community representative Chhay Vy, whom the women had accused in 2019 of having seized land. The charges were dropped against a third woman, Khorn Phun.

In a separate case this morning, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict of the Sihanoukville Appeal Court against a third land activist from Koh Kong, Det Huor. Huor was convicted of malicious denunciation and defamation following a complaint made by tycoon Heng Huy about Huor’s Facebook post dated September 2021. Huor was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment and a 2 million riel fine (approximately US $500), which was reduced to 6 months’ imprisonment and a 1 million riel fine both suspended by the Sihanoukville Appeal Court in October 2022. The Supreme Court’s judgment upholds this decision.

10 July 2023

Citizens, political party representatives and civil society groups, including NGOs and activists, congregated today to mark the seventh anniversary of Kem Ley’s murder. They continue their call for a genuine and impartial investigation into his death to establish the truth and secure justice for him and his family.

6 July 2023

We, the undersigned, call for the baseless charges of incitement against 10 land activists from three communities in Koh Kong province to be immediately dropped, and for their unconditional release. These activists did nothing but peacefully raise concerns and speak out in defence of their land and fellow community members, but have been harassed and imprisoned for doing so.

The 10 activists were arrested and charged with incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code on 29 June 2023. Nine of them are currently in pre-trial detention in Koh Kong provincial prison; one was released on bail with restrictive conditions. The charges followed their attempt to peacefully travel to Phnom Penh to submit a petition to the Ministry of Justice. If convicted, each activist faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 4 million riel (about US$1000).

30 June 2023

At least nine land activists from four communities in Koh Kong province were arrested on 29 June 2023 and charged with incitement under Articles 494 to 495 of the Criminal Code for attempting to submit a petition to the Ministry of Justice.

On 29 June 2023, authorities blocked land community members in Sre Ambel district from travelling to Phnom Penh to deliver their petition. Community representatives from four land communities were questioned, after which 11 of the activists remained in custody and were transferred to Koh Kong provincial police station in Khemarak Phoumin town. The land activists were held overnight, in addition to the six-year-old child and 18-month-old baby of two of the activists, both of whom slept at the police station alongside their mothers. The six-year-old child’s father was called to collect the child this morning, when the 11 activists were transferred to the Koh Kong provincial court. Ten were ordered to be held in pre-trial detention in Koh Kong prison. Other community members were prevented from gathering outside the court in support of their representatives.

Around 100 community members had planned to travel to the capital yesterday to submit a petition asking Minister of Justice Koeut Rith to intervene for charges to be dropped against 30 land activists from five communities. Four vans were initially prevented by police from travelling that morning, with only one van able to continue to Phnom Penh.

19 June 2023

The Supreme Court this morning denied bail to opposition leader Thach Setha, upholding the decision of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Thach Setha is the vice president of the Candlelight Party and was charged with incitement to commit a felony and incitement to discriminate under Articles 494, 495, and 496 of the Criminal Code in April 2023. The charges stemmed from comments made to Cambodian migrant workers abroad, and he was ordered to be held in pretrial detention.

The 70-year-old opposition leader appealed, arguing that judicial supervision conditions would be sufficient and that his health conditions could not be adequately treated in prison. However, the order of pretrial detention was upheld by the Appeal Court in May 2023.

26 May 2023

Members of land communities from Koh Kong, Svay Rieng, Kampong Speu, Preah Vihear and Tbong Khmum provinces continued to gather to demand the release of three Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC) staffers who were arrested on 18 May.

Theng Savoeun, the association’s president; Nhel Pheap, senior organizing officer; and Thann Hach, community facilitator officer, were charged by the Ratanakiri Provincial Court with plotting against the nation and incitement under Articles 453 and 494-495 of the Criminal Code, respectively. All three are currently in pre-trial detention in Ratanakiri prison.

Authorities have also threatened representatives from land communities in Svay Rieng, Kampong Speu, Koh Kong and Tbong Khmum provinces with arrest if they continue to gather in Phnom Penh.
This follows a series of gatherings between 19 and 22 May 2023 of land community members from Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Svay Rieng, Kampong Speu, and Kandal provinces.

25 May 2023

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court this morning issued incitement convictions for nine current and former union activists from the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU), including imprisoned union President Chhim Sithar. The convictions under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code are related to the union’s ongoing peaceful strike.

The court sentenced Sithar to the maximum prison sentence of two years and she was immediately detained following the verdict. Sithar and the other unionists were previously arrested and imprisoned in December and January 2022, before being bailed in March 2022. Sithar was re-arrested and imprisoned on 26 November 2022 for allegedly violating judicial supervision conditions, despite the fact that neither she nor her lawyers were ever informed of any conditions.

Five other LRSU unionists – Chhim Sokhorn, Hay Sopheap, Kleang Soben, Sun Srey Pich, and Touch Sereymeas – were each sentenced to one year and six months in prison, but the five women will remain out of prison and under judicial supervision until all appeal routes are exhausted.

24 May 2023

The arrest of three staffers from the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC) and the unfounded charges of incitement and plotting against the nation marks yet another case of Cambodian authorities imprisoning human rights defenders for their peaceful activism.

We, the undersigned groups, demand an end to the persecution of human rights defenders, and call for the three CCFC staffers to be immediately and unconditionally released, so they can continue their work.

19 May 2023

More than 100 community members and land rights activists gathered in front of the Ministry of Interior today to demand the release of three Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC) staffers who were arrested yesterday.

Community members from Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Svay Rieng, Kampong Speu, and Kandal provinces gathered in front of the Ministry of Interior to urge authorities to release Theng Savoeun, CCFC president; Nhel Pheap, a senior officer at the association; and Thann Hach, a project officer. Reasons for their arrests currently remain unclear and the three remain in detention in Ratanakiri province.

Six community representatives were permitted to enter the ministry to submit a petition. The ministry accepted the petition but rejected the community’s request to release the three arrested staffers.

18 May 2023

Three staffers at the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC) have been arrested and are expected to be sent to court, a day after police in Kratie province stopped a bus carrying 37 people and detained several people for questioning overnight.

This morning, police formally arrested Theng Savoeun, CCFC president; Nhel Pheap, a senior officer at the NGO; and Thann Hach, a project officer. Reasons for stopping the bus and the arrests are not clear. The three were among those detained overnight, while the remaining 34 people left the police station in their own bus this morning.

Authorities confiscated computers, mobile phones, and written documents from the group, and the Ministry of Interior’s Anti Cyber Crime Department were seen entering the police station following the staffers’ detention.