LIBRARY

7 July 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: ...

7 July 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.

26 June 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.

11 June 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.

1 June 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.

31 May 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.

11 May 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."

25 March 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.

11 March 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.

5 March 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.”

12 February 2004

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 17 local NGOs, appeals for the release of Born Sam Nang and Sok Sam Oeun, who were arrested and detained for the January 22 murder of union leader Chea Vichea. CHRAC believes there is inadequate evidence against the suspects and their arrests did not follow lawful procedures.

22 January 2004

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) deplores the killing of union leader Chea Vichea this morning, and demands swift action by the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. Chea Vichea, President of the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was shot dead at approximately 9:30 AM while reading a newspaper at a newstand on Street 51 near Wat Lanka in Phnom Penh. An unidentified gunman walked up to him and shot him three times, before escaping with an accomplice who had been waiting on a motorcycle.

22 December 2003

LICADHO released a report documenting the increase of attacks in which the perpetrator pours acid on the victim, causing serious disfigurement. LICADHO called for stronger action to punish and prevent such acid attacks.

19 December 2003

LICADHO welcomed charges brought against two U.S. citizens in courts in the United States for alleged fraud while arranging adoptions of Cambodian children. LICADHO hoped that such investigations would deter abuses during the adoption process.

15 December 2003

Following the deportation of 11 Montagnard asylum seekers, CHRAC urged the government to allow asylum claims to be determined through a fair and transparent process. Given the strong possibility that Montagnards would face persecution in Vietnam, Cambodia is required under the Refugee Convention not to forcibly deport them.

15 December 2003

CHRAC urged the Cambodian government to grant permission to two organizations to organize a rally to celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day, despite indications from the government that permission would not be granted.

30 November 2003

CAMBOW announced that it would hold activities in Phnom Penh and three provinces as part of the International 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.

23 October 2003

CHRAC expressed concern about tension and security in Cambodia following the shooting of popular singer Touch Sunich, which followed only a few days after the murder of a radio station editor.

22 October 2003

CHRAC urged the Appeal Court to review the decision of the trial of Ngoun Oun in connection to the killing of Khuon Dina, saying that the court's conduct in the trial appeared to reflect bias in favor of the alleged perpetrator.

21 October 2003

CHRAC expressed concern about the Prime Minister's request for the release of five customs officials who had been arrested in conection to a drug trafficking case, saying that the Prime Minister's actions interfered with the independence of the judiciary.