LIBRARY

2 August 2014

At 7.30am this morning, Khin Chamreun the Chief of Phnom Penh CNRP Youths was arrested at a restaurant in Takhmao town, south of Phnom Penh, and transported to Phnom Penh Municipal Police Station. Chamreun was formally accused alongside the other eight CNRP officials who were detained for one week at CC1 and CC2 prisons over the violence at Freedom Park on July 15th.

The arrest of Chamreun comes at a sensitive time as the CNRP continue to negotiate over constitutional amendments with the CPP. Additionally, the other eight CNRP officials who were released as part of a political deal on July 22 are still facing charges. The eight officials have been summonsed along with CNRP Vice-President Kem Sokha by investigating judge Keo Mony, to appear for questioning at Phnom Penh Municipal Court in the coming weeks.

23 July 2014

This week, as 8 opposition party members have been provisionally released from prison but remain accused of spurious charges for leading an insurrection and inciting violence, the Human Rights Committee’s Task Force meets to adopt the issues that will be considered by the Human Rights Committee in March 2015 when it assesses Cambodia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) for the first time since 1998.

In order to help inform the Task Force’s decision, LICADHO and partner FIDH submitted a joint report in April 2014 detailing serious and persistent violations of rights guaranteed under the ICCPR, including: the right to life; the freedoms of expression and assembly; the right to fair trial; and the prohibitions against torture and arbitrary detention.

22 July 2014

All eight members from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) were released today at around 4.45pm following their detainment at Prey Sar Prison (CC1 and CC2) over the violence that occurred at Freedom Park on July 15.

The provisional release comes shortly after the CNRP agreed to take up its seats in the National Assembly, following a summit meeting at the Senate between leading members of the CNRP and Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Party officials met to discuss reforms regarding a National Electoral Commission (NEC), election dates, and National Assembly.

Around 350 supporters gathered at Prey Sar Prison as CNRP Members of Parliament-elect (MPs), Real Camerin, Keo Phirum, Nuth Rumduol, Long Ry, Mu Sochua, Men Sothavarin and Ho Vann were all released, along with CNRP grassroots activist Ouern Narith.

18 July 2014

Tomorrow morning at 9 am, Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) President, Sam Rainsy is scheduled to arrive at Phnom Penh airport after a short trip to France. During the last week, seven CNRP MPs elect and one grassroots activist have been charged with a number of offences and sent to pre-trial detention following violent clashes between district security guards and CNRP supporters that took place at Freedom Park on July 15. The CNRP has asked its supporters to attend the airport to meet the party President. Follow LICADHO’s Livestream as events unfold.

18 July 2014

The Cambodian government must release all seven Members of Parliament (MPs) and one official of Cambodia’s main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and immediately lift the ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people, FIDH and its member organizations the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) and the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) said today.

18 July 2014

This morning at 6.20am, Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Members of Parliament-elect, Long Ry and Nut Romdoul were transported to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court where they were questioned briefly by Investigating Judge Keo Mony. Both MPs were arrested yesterday afternoon at Long Ry's home while they waited for their lawyer to arrive to sign documents. Following their questioning the judge ordered that the MPs be detained at Prey Sar Prison, where they will be interviewed further. Both CNRP MPs were transported to the prison this morning at around 9.30am. This brings to 8 the total of CNRP officials being held in pre-trial detention for offences relating to the violence which took place at Freedom Park on July 15.

17 July 2014

We the undersigned civil society groups condemn the unfounded charges against seven Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) MPs-elect and one CNRP grassroots leader. We call for their immediate and unconditional release and for all charges to be dropped.

All eight were arrested in connection with the violence of July 15 in Freedom Park and charged under Cambodia’s Criminal Code articles 28 and 218 (instigating aggravated, intentional violence), 495 (inciting others to commit a felony) and 459 (leading an insurrectional movement). The latter charge carries a sentence of up to 30 years’ imprisonment.

17 July 2014

This afternoon, Long Ry of Banteay Meanchey and Nuth Roumdoul of Kampong Speu, both Members of Parliament-elect were arrested. The case prosecutor formally accused them of charges relating to the Freedom Park violence that occurred on July 15. They are both being transported to Phnom Penh Police Station.

By now, a total of seven Members of Parliament-elect and one leading activist have been arrested and detained in the last 48 hours.

17 July 2014

Deputy Leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has today received a summons for questioning at 8am on July 25. This follows the arrest on July 15 and 16 of five CNRP MPs elect and one grassroots activist. All six were arrested in connection with the violence of July 15 in Freedom Park and charged under Cambodia’s Criminal Code articles 28 and 218 (instigating aggravated intentional violence), 495 (inciting others to commit a felony) and 459 (leading an insurrectional movement). The latter charge carries a sentence of up to 30 years’ imprisonment. All six are currently held in pre-trial detention at CC1 and CC2 prisons.

It appears that Kem Sokha is also wanted for questioning in connection with the July 15 violence. The summons states that he will be questioned in order to clarify his responsibilities as a CNRP leader.

Two additional CNRP MPs elect, Long Ry and Nuth Romdoul, and one other CNRP activist Khin Chamreun have been named in court documents as having been formally accused by the case prosecutor.

16 July 2014

After violent clashes between security guards and Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) supporters at Freedom Park yesterday, 5 CNRP lawmakers-elect have been brought to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning. The court is heavily barricaded but CNRP supporters are gathering at the barricades. The CNRP are also holding a press conference this morning in response to yesterday’s events. Follow events as they unfold.

15 July 2014

LICADHO condemns this morning’s violence by protesters and authorities at a gathering at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park. The event which was organized by the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) descended very quickly into violence following interference by authorities and resulted in a number of serious injuries, the worst of which were suffered by district security guards who had been mobilized to prevent the event from taking place.

4 July 2014

Today the Constitutional Council declared that three new laws on the judiciary, the Law on the Organization of the Courts, the Law on the Organization and Functioning of the Supreme Council of Magistracy, and the Statute of Judges and Prosecutors, are consistent with the Cambodian constitution and can therefore be promulgated, following approval by the King.

In a statement released last month, LICADHO urged the Constitutional Council to reject the laws as they are currently drafted on the grounds that they do not comply with the constitution: whilst the constitution protects the independence of the judiciary, the three laws will improperly legitimize and entrench government control over the courts and judges.

The laws were approved earlier this year by the National Assembly and the Senate. No public consultations were carried out on the draft laws and as a result of the almost year-long boycott of the National Assembly by opposition party members, they have been subjected to no proper legislative scrutiny.

26 June 2014

On June 26, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, LICADHO releases new testimony and analysis of torture and ill-treatment in Cambodia’s police stations and prisons, including the abuse of females and juveniles and those experiencing mental health problems.

21 June 2014

This morning, Surya P. Subedi, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Cambodia, visited and held discussions with land grab victims in Chikhor Leu village, Sre Ambel District, Koh Kong province. The land overlapped with an economic land concession given over to the production of sugar which was linked to ruling-party senator Ly Yong Phat.

In the afternoon, Subedi also visited Spean Ches community, Village 6, in Preah Sihanouk province. Some residents of this community were among the over 100 families violently evicted on April 20, 2007 from a plot of land 500 meters away in Commune 4, Mittapheap District, Sihanoukville, by 150 armed forces including military. Subedi held discussions with community members before meeting with the provincial governor.

Subedi’s visit throws light on long-standing land grabbing cases that remain unresolved. In both cases, the state-involved land grabs happened over half a decade ago.

15 June 2014

On the anniversary of Cambodia’s Constitutional Council, LICADHO urges the Council to reject the three new laws affecting the judiciary in their current form. The Cambodian Constitution mandates that “Judicial power shall be an independent power,” and necessary implementing legislation has long been called for to strengthen the rule of law. However, passage of these laws in their current form will codify and indefinitely prolong the lack of independence currently undermining the Cambodian justice system.

11 June 2014

LICADHO will mark World Day Against Child Labour 2014 by organizing community events in two locations: Sangkat Dang Tung, Koh Kong; and Stung Haov district, Preah Sihanouk. The aim of these events is to raise awareness of child labour in various sectors and to encourage communities to raise critical questions, and offer suggestions to local authorities on how to end child labour. World Day Against Child Labour officially falls on June 12.

10 June 2014

In the lead-up to World Day Against Child Labour, LICADHO is releasing a two-part digital photo essay series highlighting linkages between child labour and issues such as poverty, school drop-out rates and land eviction. The second video looks into the life of Kompieng , 16, who dropped out of school and started doing odd jobs to help support her family.

9 June 2014

In the lead-up to World Day Against Child Labour, LICADHO is releasing a two-part digital photo essay series highlighting linkages between child labour and issues such as poverty, school drop-out rates and land eviction. The first video looks into the life of Prum Dina, 14, who when she was 12 dropped out of school to work at a shoe factory.

30 May 2014

We the undersigned civil society groups welcome the decision this morning of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to suspend the sentences of the 23 men and two minors arrested on November 12 2013 and January 2 and 3 2014, thereby releasing the remaining 22 detainees. However, we express our extreme disappointment at the convictions of all 25 and the heavy fines imposed on some of them, following what was to all independent observers a deeply flawed trial process.

30 May 2014

LICADHO will mark International Children’s Day 2014 by distributing food and materials to juvenile prisoners, small children living with their incarcerated mothers in prison and pregnant women in eight of Cambodia’s prisons . International Children’s Day officially falls on June 1.