Press Release: 2004

December 24, 2004 - According to CHRAC’s investigation, police from the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department (DAHTJP) raided the Chai Hour II hotel on December 7, 2004. The police acted under the direction of Phnom Penh deputy chief prosecutor Mr Siem Sok Aun, who had issued a search warrant for the hotel following a complaint and a request made by the DAHTJP. After searching the premises, the deputy prosecutor and the police arrested and detained 7 suspects (5 men and 2 women), who were later released without approval from the deputy chief prosecutor.

CHRAC understands that the initial actions taken by the DAHTJP were correct and under the direction of the prosecutor Mr Siem Sok Aun. Therefore, CHRAC urges the Ministry of Interior to review whether the subsequent release of the 7 suspects complied with correct legal procedure.

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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: ...

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December 5, 2004 - Cambodian NGO workers will march 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 peaceful public gatherings.

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November 30, 2004 - As part of the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence 2004, the Cambodian Committee of Women (CAMBOW), in cooperation with Ministry of Women’s Affairs, will organize an educational drama on domestic violence in Phnom Penh and produce a video case-study to be shown in all 24 Cambodian provinces in order to raise awareness of domestic violence and demonstrate the need for the adoption of the draft Law on Domestic Violence.

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August 5, 2004 - LICADHO urges the government to fully investigate alleged crimes - including payments of thousands of dollars to Cambodian government employees - connected to the adoptions of Cambodian children to the United States.

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July 7, 2004 - We, the Members of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), COMFREL and NICFEC, kindly request the King to issue a statement of opinion on the “package vote” procedure proposed for the creation of the new government.

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July 7, 2004 - According to an Agreement to Cooperate dated 30 June 2004, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the FUNCINPEC Party "have agreed, in the spirit of ensuring the normal functioning of state institutions, to choose a package vote for the election of the President and Vice-Presidents of the National Assembly and for the vote of confidence in the Royal Government at the beginning of the parliamentary session to be chaired by the Dean of the Members of the Parliament." We, the representatives of Cambodian NGOs, reject this “package vote” as well as its justification for the following reasons: ...

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June 26, 2004 - Stronger action is necessary to prevent and punish the rampant use of torture in Cambodia, according to LICADHO. “Countless Cambodian men, women and children have their lives destroyed by acts of torture,” said LICADHO president Kek Galabru.

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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.

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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.

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May 31, 2004 - Top, a 16-year-old girl, sold rice cakes to help support her destitute family. On the promise that she could earn more money working as a domestic helper, Top agreed to go with an older woman who brought her to a brothel and sold her for $50. On her first night, Top was beaten and forced to take five clients. On the fourth day, she managed to escape and is now in hiding because the brothel owner has hired a gang to find her. Top suffers from nightmares and other psychological distress, and is undergoing medical tests for sexually-transmitted diseases.


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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."

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March 25, 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.

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March 11, 2004 - At 10:00 Morning, the Phnom Penh municipal court opened a trial to try Sam Doeun and his partner Nhim Sophea, who committed intentional killings on October 27,2003. CHRAC welcomes the court opening the hearing to try Nhim Sophea.CHRAC believes that the court should not open the trial in the criminal case in secret. CHRAC appeal to all levels of the courts to ensure transparency, respect the equality of the law and freedom to access to public information so that the people trust the Cambodian Judicial system.

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March 5, 2004 - In every city, town and village in Cambodia, women and girls are subjected to rape and sexual abuse with little chance of obtaining justice, and with few rehabilitation services to help them recover. Instead, victims are often blamed, mocked or rejected by their families and communities and must endure the pain, shame and anger on their own while the perpetrators go unpunished. “Sadly, March 8th, International Women’s Day, is like any other day in Cambodia - a day when countless Cambodian women and girls will be raped and sexually abused,” says Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO. “Their lives will be destroyed, while many of their abusers will live freely without punishment.”

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