LIBRARY

11 November 2014

CNRP official Meach Sovannara has been detained at Prey Sar CC1 Prison this afternoon, following his arrest this morning in Phnom Penh in relation to the violence that occurred at Freedom Park on July 15 this year.

Investigating Judge Keo Mony has charged Sovannara under articles: 28 and 218 (instigating aggravated, intentional violence); 495 (inciting others to commit a felony); and 459 (leading an insurrectional movement) of the criminal code. Article 459 carries a potential sentence of 30 years' imprisonment.

In total, 14 CNRP officials and activists have been arrested over the violence at Freedom Park on July 15. Of those, three are currently in detention: Ouk Pich Samnang; CNRP Chbar Ampov elected district council member Sum Puthy; and CNRP official Meach Sovannara.

11 November 2014

CNRP official Meach Sovannara was arrested by authorities this morning in Phnom Penh in relation to the violence that occurred at Freedom Park on July 15 this year. He is presently detained at Phnom Penh High Crime Police Station.

Sovannara was previously summonsed by Investigating Judge Keo Mony to Phnom Penh Municipal Court on September 1 over the Freedom Park violence. However, Sovannara was abroad at the time and could not appear before the court.

In total, 14 CNRP officials and activists have been arrested over the violence at Freedom Park on July 15.

11 November 2014

Seven representatives from Boeung Kak Lake community, who were arrested and detained yesterday after protesting outside city hall, appeared before Prosecutor Mr. Seang Sok at Phnom Penh Court of the First Instance this morning.

The seven women all appeared before the court, after authorities accused them yesterday of obstructing public traffic (Article 78 of the Traffic Law) and insulting public officials (Article 502 of the Penal Code). 50 supporters gathered outside the court in support.

Areas near the site of the former lake have been flooded for a number of days due to alleged deliberate drainage problems under the control of city hall authorities.

10 November 2014

This morning at around 9:30am, seven female representatives from Boeung Kak Lake community were arrested as they protested outside city hall against defective water drainage facilities in the city.

Areas near the site of the former lake have been flooded for the past three days due to alleged deliberate drainage problems under the control of city hall authorities.

Those detained are Nget Khun, Tep Vanny, Song Sreyleap, Kong Chantha, Phan Chunreth, who were all previously arrested and convicted in 2012 for peaceful activism. Two other community representatives, Po Chorvy and Nong Sreng, were also arrested.

23 October 2014

This morning over 1,000 peaceful protestors and monks gathered in Phnom Penh to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements.

In recognition of France’s role as host and co-president of the peace talks, the protesters began the morning with a forum outside the French embassy during which they asked signatories of the treaty for support. The protesters marched to the embassies of the USA and UK to deliver petitions as a reminder of the Paris Peace Agreements, criticizing Cambodian elections and on-going land disputes in Cambodia, calling for the establishment of a committee to investigate and review the implementation of the Paris Peace Agreements.

The protesters continued to the Australian and Russian embassies before making their way to the National Assembly. This afternoon the march will proceed to the UN offices, Japanese, Indonesian and Chinese embassies.

21 October 2014

On October 20, 2014, security guards in Phnom Penh were once again captured senselessly beating peaceful land protesters. About 80 villagers from Preah Vihear province had come to Phnom Penh to ask for assistance from national institutions, to help resolve their land dispute which has affected over 200 families. However, shortly after noon, the villagers were violently dispersed by the guards while military police and police officers stood by near the Prime Minister's home.

The violence left a total of 18 people injured. Several of them, including an 18 year-old boy, suffered head wounds.

20 October 2014

Following the violent dispersal of protestors nearby Prime Minister Hun Sen’s home earlier today, LICADHO is now treating 17 patients. At least 4 of them (one woman and three men) have moderate injuries from beatings sustained by security guards. One of the injured is an 18 year old boy who was beaten on the head. He is currently being observed and may be admitted to hospital later.

The protestors from Kantuot commune, Choan Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, included men, women, and young children who were protesting in Phnom Penh to request assistance in ongoing land conflicts that have affected over 200 families.

They intended to march to the Chinese, Russian, and Australian embassies, before submitting a petition to the home of Prime Minister Hun Sen. However, the protestors were blocked on their way to the Prime Minister’s house, where they were severely beaten.

20 October 2014

Earlier this morning, four people were injured after security guards at Independence Monument beat protestors from Kantuot commune, Choan Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, while military police stood by.

The group of protestors included men, women, and young children. They had come to Phnom Penh to request assistance in ongoing land conflicts that have affected over 200 families.

They intended to march to the Chinese, Russian, and Australian embassies, before submitting a petition to the home of Prime Minister Hun Sen. However, the protestors were blocked on their way to the Prime Minister’s house at Wat Botum, where they were severely beaten.

16 October 2014

We, the undersigned civil society groups, condemn the actions of the Oddar Meanchey authorities who have, since September 2014, been engaged in the obstruction, harassment, intimidation, and assault of rights workers. Most recently, a four-person team from Equitable Cambodia (“EC”) was in the province to conduct field research on the impacts of forced evictions resulting from economic land concessions granted for the development of sugarcane plantations. The plantations are owned by the Mitr Phol Group, one of Coca-Cola’s top three global suppliers. Research data collected will be provided to the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (“NHRCT”), which is investigating Mitr Phol’s operations in Cambodia.

12 October 2014

This morning around 1000 garment workers from six unions – CUMW, NIFTUC, WFUF, NTUC, TUFW & IDYTU – gathered at Freedom Park to call for an increase in the minimum wage. Despite warnings from government authorities not to leave the Freedom Park area, the protestors peacefully marched to the National Assembly, US and EU embassies, to submit petitions.

Around 50 riot police stood by at Wat Phnom as the protestors marched, while a large group of military police and riot police were present in front of the EU embassy.

Today's protest takes place in addition to last month’s launch of a labor campaign calling for the minimum wage to be increased to $177.

29 September 2014

Earlier today, CNRP Chbar Ampov elected district council member Sum Puthy was arrested in relation to the violence that took place on July 15 at Freedom Park. He was last seen this morning by his wife after going to the local market. Photos have emerged through government media sources, placing Puthy at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. He is to be sent to CC1 at Prey Sar Prison for pre-trial detention.

Sum Puthy is the twelfth CNRP official arrested in relation to the Freedom Park violence.

17 September 2014

At approximately 11am, labour unions in and around Phnom Penh launched the $177 minimum wage campaign in front of garment factories as workers were going on their lunch break. In the Canadia Industrial Park alone, over a thousand workers gathered next to factories to demand a humane minimum wage. Military soldiers were stationed along Veng Sreng road and inside Canadia Industrial Park to intimidate workers.

17 September 2014

This morning, soldiers from military brigades 70 and 99, as well as an artillery unit, have been stationed along Veng Sreng road and inside Canadia Industrial Park ahead of this morning’s planned union events to launch the $177 minimum wage campaign.

Military helicopters have also been spotted flying over the factories on Veng Sreng road.

Earlier this morning CCAWDU federation members, Sot Seap and Kun Sokom, were arrested by police in front of the Kamchay Mea factory in Smorng Kangcheung commune, Kamchay Mea district, Prey Veng province. They were released shortly after midday having spent several hours in custody.

16 September 2014

Shortly before 11am, the last remaining detainee, convicted in relation to the deadly clashes on the night of September 15, 2013, Nguyen Thydoc, was released from CC1. Thydoc was sentenced to three years in prison with two years suspended by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on February 28, 2014.

Meanwhile, no one from the armed forces has been prosecuted for ordering the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians which resulted in the death of a bystander on September 15, 2013.

12 September 2014

We the undersigned condemn the continued intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders in Cambodia. We call upon the competent authorities to investigate those responsible for ordering the groundless detention of Equitable Cambodia Staff Meg Fukuzawa and Lida Sok.

22 August 2014

At 9.30am this morning, the three CNRP youth leaders arrested and imprisoned at CC1 on August 2 were released on bail for a total deposit amount of $1,000. Khin Chamreun, San Kimheng and Neang Sokhun will be granted provisional release under judicial supervision. Lawyers are processing court papers to release them this evening.

Chamreun was originally named in the court documents filed by case prosecutor Keo Socheat on July 16 in which he was formally accused, along with the other eight CNRP officials, of inciting and instigating violence, and leading an insurrectional movement. Kimheng and Sokhun are accused of acts of violence, obstructing public officials and taking part in an insurrectional movement.

An additional summons is still standing for five other CNRP members who are scheduled to appear for questioning before Phnom Penh Municipal Court in the coming weeks.

12 August 2014

On August 12 International Youth Day, LICADHO is releasing profiles of youths who are part of our Child Protection Groups (CPGs) network, and actively promote child rights in their respective communities. LICADHO works with 73 CPGs, six of which represent youth and comprise 81 members across four target areas: Phnom Penh/Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, and Siem Reap. This year, some youth CPG members from Phnom Penh/Kandal participated in International Youth Day celebrations in Phnom Penh organized by other youth networks. The theme was, “Youth Social Movement and Change.” The group marched from Freedom Park to the National Assembly where youth CPG members submitted a statement calling on the government to promote child rights

12 August 2014

LICADHO condemns the violent dispersal of more than 50 villagers from Lor Peang community who had begun their 60km-long peaceful march from Kampong Chhnang province to Phnom Penh, calling for a resolution to their long-standing land dispute. Amid the violent dispersal, three villagers – including the husband of the main Lor Peang community representative Um Sophy – were arrested and sent to the provincial court.

7 August 2014

We, the undersigned organizations, condemn the flagrant abuse of the Cambodian legal system and the trumped up charges that have been used to manipulate the outcome of political negotiations between the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), following the latest arrests of three CNRP youth members, and urges all charges to be dropped.

7 August 2014

On the morning of August 7, 2014, Investigating Judge Keo Mony decided to refuse a bail request regarding the three CNRP Youth Leaders detained at CC1 in Prey Sar Prison.

The three CNRP youth leaders, Khin Chamreun, San Kimheng, Neang Sokhun were all arrested on Saturday August 2, 2014. Their arrests occurred while constitutional amendments were being debated upon by both parties, during which time the eight released CNRP officials, as well as CNRP Vice-President Kem Sokha, have been summonsed for further questioning on August 8-13.