LIBRARY

18 July 2014

This morning at 6.20am, Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Members of Parliament-elect, Long Ry and Nut Romdoul were transported to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court where they were questioned briefly by Investigating Judge Keo Mony. Both MPs were arrested yesterday afternoon at Long Ry's home while they waited for their lawyer to arrive to sign documents. Following their questioning the judge ordered that the MPs be detained at Prey Sar Prison, where they will be interviewed further. Both CNRP MPs were transported to the prison this morning at around 9.30am. This brings to 8 the total of CNRP officials being held in pre-trial detention for offences relating to the violence which took place at Freedom Park on July 15.

17 July 2014

We the undersigned civil society groups condemn the unfounded charges against seven Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) MPs-elect and one CNRP grassroots leader. We call for their immediate and unconditional release and for all charges to be dropped.

All eight were arrested in connection with the violence of July 15 in Freedom Park and charged under Cambodia’s Criminal Code articles 28 and 218 (instigating aggravated, intentional violence), 495 (inciting others to commit a felony) and 459 (leading an insurrectional movement). The latter charge carries a sentence of up to 30 years’ imprisonment.

17 July 2014

This afternoon, Long Ry of Banteay Meanchey and Nuth Roumdoul of Kampong Speu, both Members of Parliament-elect were arrested. The case prosecutor formally accused them of charges relating to the Freedom Park violence that occurred on July 15. They are both being transported to Phnom Penh Police Station.

By now, a total of seven Members of Parliament-elect and one leading activist have been arrested and detained in the last 48 hours.

16 July 2014

After violent clashes between security guards and Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) supporters at Freedom Park yesterday, 5 CNRP lawmakers-elect have been brought to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning. The court is heavily barricaded but CNRP supporters are gathering at the barricades. The CNRP are also holding a press conference this morning in response to yesterday’s events. Follow events as they unfold.

15 July 2014

LICADHO condemns this morning’s violence by protesters and authorities at a gathering at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park. The event which was organized by the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) descended very quickly into violence following interference by authorities and resulted in a number of serious injuries, the worst of which were suffered by district security guards who had been mobilized to prevent the event from taking place.

30 May 2014

We the undersigned civil society groups welcome the decision this morning of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to suspend the sentences of the 23 men and two minors arrested on November 12 2013 and January 2 and 3 2014, thereby releasing the remaining 22 detainees. However, we express our extreme disappointment at the convictions of all 25 and the heavy fines imposed on some of them, following what was to all independent observers a deeply flawed trial process.

30 May 2014

Today the ‘FreeThe23’ and ‘Stung Meanchey-two’ are finally free men.

The 22 who had remained in prison were released just after 11am today and marched back to Phnom Penh together with around 500 of their supporters. They will now be reunited with their families.

Those who had not been released on bail spent more than 140 days in detention in CC3 and CC1 prisons. Their highly contested trials took place at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court over five non-consecutive days in April and May.

30 May 2014

This morning, the 25 arrested on January 2 and 3, and November 12, were convicted of a variety of charges with sentences of differing lengths but all sentences were suspended. Vorn Pao (President of Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association) was sentenced to 4.5 years, Theng Savoeun (Coordinator of Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community) 4 years, Chan Puthisak (community leader from Boeung Kak Lake) 4.5 years, and Sokun Sambath Piseth (staff member at Center for Labor Rights of Cambodia) 4.5 years. Lawyers are currently working to secure their release as soon as possible.

The trials at Phnom Penh Municipal Court started on April 25 and took place over five non-consecutive days with the case of the 10 men arrested at the Yak Jin factory finally coming to an end just after 8pm on May 22. On all the trial days supporters of the 25 were prevented from gathering in front of the court by roadblocks and a heavy police presence.

The 25 were all arrested during violent suppression of worker protests by the authorities. As of today, no member of the police or armed forces has been prosecuted for the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians, which resulted in at least four deaths and the hospitalization of 38 on January 2-3 2014, and one death and the hospitalization of 9 on November 12, 2013.

24 May 2014

Today, hundreds of workers gathered in Takeo’s provincial town to show their support for eight union leaders and union members who were arrested yesterday afternoon during a garment factory strike at the JSD Textile (Cambodia) Co. Ltd factory. The strikers were seeking a minimum wage of $160 and improved working conditions. Armed security forces have blocked the way to the court with barbed wire and to the provincial police station, where the arrested unionists are being held.

The eight unionists include six union leaders from the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers' Democratic Union (CCAWDU) and two CCAWDU staff, who came to assist the striking workers. As of now those arrested are being held at the provincial police station in Takeo’s provincial town where lawyers, unions and NGOs have been denied access to them.

22 May 2014

The trial of 23 workers and human rights activists continues today at the Phnom Penh Court. The trial has now reached its fifth day and proceedings are scheduled to start at 8am.

21 May 2014

The trial of 23 workers and human rights activists continues today at the Phnom Penh Court. The trial has now reached its fourth day and proceedings are scheduled to start at 8am.

19 May 2014

Tomorrow morning, the trial of 23 workers and human rights activists will resume at the Phnom Penh Court. The trial has now reached its third day and proceedings are scheduled to start at 8am.

12 May 2014

This morning starting at 7:00 am, more than 200 workers at 17 Caltex gas stations in Phnom Penh began a strike demanding a monthly wage of at least $160 and other staff benefits. Most Caltex workers currently earn $110/month. Workers plan to continue the strike until their demands are met.

This strike follows broader labor protests in late 2013, when garment workers began to demand a minimum wage of $160/month. In early January 2014, the government violently suppressed labor protests, resulting in at least four deaths, 38 people hospitalized, and 23 rights defenders and workers arrested.

Despite state clampdowns, workers and unions continue to demand wage increases. On February 6, workers at CINTRI successfully negotiated salary raises after going several days on strike: the salaries of trash collectors increased from $65 to $90, while salaries of garbage truck drivers on night shifts increased from $120 to $140. Similarly, on May 11, workers from Angkor Beer/Cambrew completed a two-day strike that led to an increase of their salary from $120/month to $150/month.

6 May 2014

The trial of 25 workers and human rights activists resumes today. The first day of the hearings on April 25 came to an abrupt end mid-afternoon when prison guards interrupted proceedings to transport those who had not been released on bail back to CC1 prison. The hearings are scheduled to resume at 8am.

2 May 2014

Today, thousands of Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) supporters marched across Phnom Penh to mark the start of the campaign for municipal, provincial, city and district council elections. At least five people were injured by security guards, including CNRP supporters, one monk and one journalist, as they waited for the march to arrive at Freedom Park. The journalist was taken to a hospital while LICADHO doctors treated the other injured civilians, including one man who required three stiches.

The march began at the CNRP headquarters mid-afternoon and proceeded along major boulevards across Phnom Penh for about three hours, before arriving in front of the Royal Palace where CNRP leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha addressed supporters. Before leaving the site, they announced that the rally would continue tomorrow.

Phnom Penh has seen a massive security build-up since April 30, when security forces barricaded Freedom Park. Today, the barricade extended to cover Norodom's dragon bridge and Wat Phnom, where hundreds of police armed with tear gas launchers and security guards were stationed. Military police were also positioned next to the Prime Minister’s house and at the Supreme Court nearby the palace.

1 May 2014

Today's planned union gatherings in Phnom Penh to mark International Workers’ Day look set to face severe restrictions by authorities. LICADHO will be livestreaming developments as they happen.

30 April 2014

This morning, razor wire, caged trucks and fences were set up to prevent people from accessing Freedom Park for tomorrow’s International Workers’ Day events and during the election campaign which starts on 2nd May. Also this morning, Mu Sochua, CNRP law-maker elect, together with 150 supporters and representatives from land communities tried yet again to enter the park. Sam Rainsy, CNRP leader, made a quick visit to Freedom Park before going to Wat Phnom, and then returning to the barricaded park to give a short speech. Between 400-500 police were stationed at Freedom Park to prevent people from entering.

Sochua’s scheduled attempt to enter Freedom Park was publicly announced on Monday. When Sochua and her supporters were blocked from entering the park, they placed lotus flowers on the razor wire and burned incense.

24 April 2014

On 25 April 2014, the trials of the 23 men arrested during the government’s suppression of labor strikes in early January will take place at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. The hearing of two further individuals, who were arrested during violent clashes between garment workers and armed forces on 12 November 2013 will also take place at the Municipal Court.

LICADHO will be livestreaming events as they happen from inside and outside the court.

21 April 2014

This morning, security guards attacked Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) youths, local and foreign journalists, and NGO workers, as they gathered for Mu Sochua's latest attempt to enter Freedom Park. LICADHO provided medical treatment to seven people following the unprovoked assault. Two had open wounds which required stitches and one had a severely bloodied ear. Mu Sochua herself was carried from the park by security guards and received minor injuries.

This is elected CNRP law-maker Mu Sochua's sixth attempt to enter the park since the Phnom Penh municipality banned public gatherings in early January. Her previous attempts have also been brought to a swift end by security forces. She is conducting the protests to draw attention to the lack of freedom of expression in the country.

31 March 2014

This morning independent radio station owner Mam Sonando was prevented from leading a march from Freedom Park to the Ministry of Information. Sonando had called his supporters to protest the Ministry of Information’s refusal to give him a license for a TV channel and more frequencies for his Beehive Radio station. Before Sonando’s arrival, his supporters were violently dispersed by a large number of security forces, resulting in two men being beaten and sent for medical treatment. One man was briefly detained. He was released after signing an agreement not to participate in future demonstrations. Amid violent shoving by authorities, Sonando gave a short speech to his supporters calling for freedom of information and urging non-violence.

Cambodia currently has no independent TV stations as the Ministry of Information has systematically refused to grant TV licenses to non-CPP (Cambodian People’s Party) affiliated individuals.