11th Anniversary of the Veng Sreng Shooting
Published on 3 January 2025
Today, around 50 people gathered at Solidarity House in Phnom Penh to mark 11 years since government forces violently suppressed a garment workers’ strike on Veng Sreng Boulevard. The crackdown left at least four dead, 38 injured, and Khem Sophath, a 15-year-old boy, missing to this day after being shot.
The remembrance event, attended by union leaders, NGO representatives, and community members, began with prayers led by monks and called for accountability and justice for the victims.
The tragic incident arose from a strike by garment workers demanding an increase in the minimum wage. In response, mixed government forces unleashed a brutal and disproportionate assault, opening fire against unarmed protesters. Despite public outcry, the investigation into the violence failed to hold any authorities accountable for the deaths of Kim Phaleap, Sam Ravy, Yean Rithy, and Pheng Kosal, or for the injuries and disappearance of Khem Sophath.
Instead, 23 individuals—including garment workers, union leaders, and human rights defenders—were arrested at the scene and later convicted on baseless charges. Among those detained were prominent figures such as Vorn Pao (IDEA) and Chan Puthisak (Boeung Kak Lake community representative).
Legal proceedings have continued to highlight the ongoing struggle for obtaining justice in relation to the Veng Sreng shooting. On 29 September 2023, the Phnom Penh Appeal Court upheld convictions against Vorn Pao and three others, though it waived a fine of 8 million riel (USD $2,000). Vorn Pao, President of the Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court. On 9 September 2024, the Supreme Court rejected his appeal and upheld his conviction for "masterminding" and “instigating intentional acts of violence with aggravating circumstances” under Articles 28 and 218 of the Criminal Code.
