Murder of Chea Vichea
Briefing | Born Samnang & Sok Sam Oeun Trial Issues and Transcript
25 January 2007
The August 1, 2005 trial and convictions of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun for the murder of trade unionist Chea Vichea was marked by violations of fair trial rights and a lack of credible evidence. The following are some of the main issues raised by the trial that will be reviewed in this paper: 1/ Failure to hear prosecution witnesses in court, 2/ Lack of evidence, 3/ Undue reliance on confessions, etc.
The unofficial transcript is based on written notes taken during the trial; it is not verbatim and some parts of the trial were inaudible.
Statement | 1000 Days in Prison -- Born Samnang & Sok Sam Oeun Must Be Released
23 October 2006
On the 1000-day anniversary of the arrests of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, LICADHO urges the Court of Appeal to promptly consider the two men's case and to release them.
Today, October 23, is the 1000th day that Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun have spent in custody since their arrests on January 28, 2004 for allegedly killing prominent trade unionist Chea Vichea. They are currently serving 20-year prison sentences for the murder, despite extensive evidence of their innocence. Many individuals - including former King Norodom Sihanouk, Chea Vichea's family and the prime witness to the murder - have declared that they are innocent.
Presentation | Human Rights in Cambodia Presentation 2006
11 August 2006
A slideshow presentation on Human Rights situation in Cambodia 2006.
Statement | Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun must be released
2 August 2006
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 21 NGO members, calls for the prompt release from prison of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, who were one year ago yesterday convicted -- despite a severe lack of evidence -- of murdering trade unionist Chea Vichea.
On August 1, 2005, Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of murder and sentenced to 20 years. CHRAC continues to believe that the trial verdict was grossly unfair due to the lack of forensic evidence presented against the men. CHRAC also notes that numerous organizations and individuals, including Former King Norodom Sihanouk as well as the family of Chea Vichea, have publicly declared the innocence of Born Samnang and Sok SamOeun.
Statement | Unjust Verdict Issued by Phnom Penh Municipal Court in Chea Vichea Case Against Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun
3 August 2005
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 NGOs, is deeply concerned by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court's guilty verdict for Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, accused of the murder of Chea Vichea, Free Trade Union leader and Sam Rainsy Party activist. They were each sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay $5,000 compensation each to the plaintiff.
CHRAC considers the verdict, returned on August 1, 2005 by Judge Kong Set, as unfair and based on political bias rather than on independent and reasonable judgment.
Statement | CHRAC welcomes dismissal of charges against Chea Vichea murder suspects
25 March 2004
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 17 local human rights NGOs, welcomes the decision on March 19, 2004, by Phnom Penh Municipal Court judge Hing Thirith, to dismiss charges against two men accused of killing union leader Chea Vichea. According to information received by CHRAC, judge Hing Thirith decided to drop the charges against Born Samnang, 23, and Sok Sam Oeun, 36, who were arrested on 27 and 28 January 2004 because his investigation had not uncovered sufficient evidence that they were involved in the January 22 murder of Chea Vichea. Hing Thirith also noted irregularities in supposed confessions made in the case, and CHRAC investigation indicated major differences between witness testimony and these supposed confessions. The above judge's decision is a step towards the independence of the judiciary.
Statement | Two suspects arrested for Chea Vichea murder should be released
12 February 2004
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 17 local NGOs, appeals for the release of Born Sam Nang and Sok Sam Oeun, who were arrested and detained for the January 22 murder of union leader Chea Vichea. CHRAC believes there is inadequate evidence against the suspects and their arrests did not follow lawful procedures.
Statement | CHRAC condemns assassination of Chea Vichea
22 January 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.
