A member of FTUWKC cleans the statue of Chea Vichea in Phnom Penh on the anniversary of his murder.

Politicians, labour activists and members of civil society gathered this morning at the statue of slain union leader Chea Vichea in central Phnom Penh to mark the 21st anniversary of his murder. The gathering was joined by Chea Mony, Vichea's brother and president of the opposition Nation Power Party (NPP).

Chea Vichea, the former president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), was shot and killed outside of the Wat Langka pagoda on 22 January 2004. Two innocent men, Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeurn, were falsely convicted of his murder and imprisoned for five years before having their convictions overturned.

Participants at this morning's rally called for justice for Chea Vichea and for a proper investigation into his slaying, as well as justice for all other slain union activists.