LIBRARY

7 January 2024

Around 12 youth and environmental activists and a foreign national were taken into custody and questioned for several hours by local Phnom Penh and immigration authorities after peacefully advocating for the preservation of a coastal island in Koh Kong province.

The activists were exercising, holding banners and taking photographs on Phnom Penh riverside this morning while being monitored by non-uniformed security personnel. As they were leaving the area, Daun Penh district security guards forced them onto a truck and took them to the district office for questioning.

6 January 2024

Outspoken social commentator Ny Nak was sent to pre-trial detention by a Phnom Penh court this morning after being questioned on charges of incitement to discriminate and defamation on Friday.

Nak claimed the charges were filed due to a Facebook post in which he questioned the government’s decision to give away 91 hectares of land in Kampot province to an individual named Heng Sour. A local newspaper identified the land recipient as the current Minister of Labour Heng Sour, but that was later denied by the government. Nak is being held at Phnom Penh’s Correctional Center 1.

Nak said his arrest was due to a complaint filed by Sour over at least one of Nak’s social media posts, made on 17 December 2023, which asked, “What achievements has Heng Sour done for the Khmer nation, that the government gave him forest land as his personal property? RIP Khmer forests.”

3 January 2024

Around 100 people gathered at Solidarity House in Phnom Penh this afternoon to mark 10 years since the fatal violence that took place at the capital’s Veng Sreng Boulevard, when mixed government forces opened fire on striking workers, killing at least four and wounding 38. Khem Sophath, a child at the time, was shot and remains missing to this day.

The remembrance was attended by union, association and NGO leaders and members, and began with prayers by monks. Vorn Pao, president of the Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), who was beaten and arrested in 2014 while observing a strike in front of the Yak Jin factory the day before the shootings, spoke at the event.

“The second of January was a tragic day… Before the police arrested us, they did not tell us about the charges and we could not meet with a lawyer. We were protesting for increasing the salary for the worker,” Pao said.

26 December 2023

Around 50 people from grassroots groups and unions this morning gathered in front of Correctional Center 2 (CC2) prison to call for the release of Chhim Sithar, President of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU).

Participants included supporters from the LRSU, Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU); Cambodian Food and Service Workers’ Federation (CFSWF); Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA); Cambodia Tourism Workers' Union Federation (CTWUF); Cambodian Informal Economic Workers Association (CIWA); and Cambodian Youth Network (CYN); and LICADHO. Many joined with banners, balloons, and loudspeakers. They were monitored by approximately 10 plainclothes authorities, who photographed and videoed participants throughout.

22 December 2023

The Supreme Court this morning denied bail to opposition leader Thach Setha. Setha will remain in detention while the appeal against his conviction of irregular financial payments is pending.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted Setha of irregular financial payments under Article 231 of the Law on Negotiable Instruments and Payment Transactions on 21 September. This followed a complaint by Rin Chhay Pawn Shop, which alleged Setha had written five bad cheques to repay a loan in 2019. The court sentenced Setha to one year and six months in prison and imposed a fine of 3 million riel (around US$750). Setha was also ordered to pay Rin Chhay Pawn Shop around 133.6 million riel (around US$33,400) — the amount of his outstanding debt — in addition to 5 million riel (around US$1,250) in compensation.

In a separate case on 18 October, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted Setha of incitement to commit a felony and incitement to discriminate under Articles 494, 495 and 496 of the Criminal Code, for a speech that he made to supporters of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) early this year. The court imposed the maximum prison sentence of three years as well as a fine of 4 million riel (about US$1,000).

19 December 2023

The Preah Sihanouk Appeal Court this morning upheld the defamation convictions of two Koh Kong land activists, Phav Nheung and Seng Lin, under Article 305 of the Criminal Code. The court also dropped incitement charges under Articles 494 and 495 against them, partially upholding the decision of the Koh Kong Provincial Court from August.

Nheung and Lin were the target of a complaint launched by Chhay Vy, a former community representative whom the women had accused in 2019 of seizing land. The activists were each fined 4 million riel (approximately US$1,000) and ordered to pay 40 million riel (approximately $10,000) in compensation to Vy.

Both Nheung and Lin were jailed in pre-trial detention between 30 June and 6 October this year over the incitement charges, with Nheung detained alongside her infant son.

10 December 2023

At least 3,000 people across Phnom Penh and 12 provinces celebrated International Human Rights Day 2023 this week. International Human Rights Day is itself observed on 10 December each year in recognition of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This year marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of the UDHR.

International Human Rights Day is itself observed on 10 December each year in recognition of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This year marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of the UDHR.

6 December 2023

Six police officers entered LICADHO’s office in Banteay Meanchey province this afternoon and arrested four people who were seeking legal advice on behalf of imprisoned political activist Kong Saron, who is being represented by LICADHO’s legal team.

The four individuals include Hang Treub, Kong Saron’s wife; Seng Chantha, their daughter; and two other people who had accompanied them to LICADHO’s office. All four were arrested about 10 minutes after arriving at the office, after Treub had visited her husband in prison earlier this morning.

LICADHO staff asked for relevant documents, which police did not provide, instead responding that they were “obeying orders.” The police officers also ordered LICADHO staff to delete photographs of their presence at the office.

30 November 2023

The Phnom Penh Appeal Court today upheld the convictions of Seam Pluk, co-founder of the Cambodia National Heart Party (CNHP), and three other opposition members and supporters (Nou Sitheary, Khoeun Virath and Touch Theung) on charges of forgery and use of forged documents under Articles 626, 627 and 628 of the Criminal Code. The Appeal Court’s decision was announced after the trial hearing, which took place this morning.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted Pluk and 12 other defendants, including the three others who appealed today, on 24 March 2023. As a result of today’s Appeal Court’s decision, Pluk remains sentenced to two years and six months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of of 5 million riel (around USD$1,250). The other three defendants remain sentenced to two years in prison and are ordered to pay the same fine.

30 November 2023

The Cambodian government’s endorsement of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in domestic violence cases – without ensuring access to courts and support services – is putting women’s and children’s lives at risk. Despite this, the government has now further entrenched this approach in a new Royal Decree.

Bopha and Sothy,* whose stories are shared with this article, are among these women. During this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, LICADHO stands with them in demanding justice and safety.

20 November 2023

Debt bondage and child labour plague Cambodia’s brick factories, as decades of inaction by the Cambodian government and construction and real estate sectors have allowed these human rights abuses to continue unchecked.

Today, on World Children’s Day 2023, the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) is renewing its call for all actors to immediately end these shameful practices. “Bound by Bricks: An Opportunity to End Debt Bondage and Child Labour in Cambodia’s Brick Factories" is a report based on information documented by LICADHO from 21 brick factories across Kandal province and the capital Phnom Penh.

20 November 2023

International brands’ garment waste is contributing to human rights and environmental harms in Cambodia’s brick factories. During visits to brick factories from April to September 2023, LICADHO found pre-consumer garment waste this year at five operational and two permanently closed brick factories. These factories in Phnom Penh and Kandal province burnt pre-consumer garment waste to fuel brick kilns. LICADHO found waste marked with 19 international brands as evidenced by the photographs below.

10 November 2023

The Supreme Court this morning rejected the appeal of one Candlelight Party official and denied bail to another Candlelight official in two separate cases, leaving both behind bars.

The court rejected the appeal of Touch Theung, a province-level Candlelight Party chief who was convicted on charges of forgery and use of forged documents earlier this year. The Supreme Court also upheld an order of pre-trial detention for Chao Veasna, Poipet District President and Steering Committee member of the Candlelight Party, who is awaiting trial on charges of incitement. Both opposition officials were returned to prison after the hearing.

Theung, 74, was convicted of forgery and related charges along with 12 other defendants in March 2023. These convictions related to their support for the registration of a new opposition party, the Cambodia National Heart Party (CNHP), in late 2021. Theung was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 5 million riel (around USD $1,250).

2 November 2023

On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, we, the undersigned civil society organisations, call upon the Royal Government of Cambodia (“RGC”) to take immediate and concrete action to ensure the effective, independent, and transparent investigation of all crimes committed against journalists and human rights defenders (“HRDs") in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

At least 15 journalists have been killed in Cambodia since 1994. Twelve of them were reporting on sensitive issues at the time of their deaths. Not a single perpetrator has been brought to justice in any of these cases.

19 October 2023

The Phnom Penh Appeal Court today upheld the convictions of eight current and former unionists from the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU).

Nine activists, including union President Chhim Sithar, were convicted of incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in May 2023. Eight of the activists appealed the verdict. They included Sithar, who received the maximum sentence of two years in prison; Chhim Sokhorn, Hay Sopheap, Kleang Soben, Sun Srey Pich and Touch Sereymeas, who were sentenced to 18 months in prison; and Sok Narith and Ry Sovandy, who received one-year suspended sentences.

The Appeal Court trial started this morning. The court announced its verdict upholding the lower court’s judgment in full this afternoon after deliberating for 30 minutes. Sok Kongkea, who was also convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and received a suspended sentence, did not appeal the lower court’s verdict.

18 October 2023

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court today announced its guilty verdict for Thach Setha, Vice-President of the opposition Candlelight Party, on charges of incitement to commit a felony and incitement to discriminate. Setha was convicted for a speech that he made to supporters of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) early this year.

The court found Setha guilty under Articles 494, 495 and 496 of the Criminal Code, and imposed the maximum prison sentence of three years as well as a fine of 4 million riel (about US$1,000).

The charges were in relation to a speech that Setha gave on 8 January 2023 during a visit to South Korea. The speech criticised the celebration of 7 January, an official holiday marking the toppling of the Khmer Rouge regime, and which the opposition often critically refers to when speaking of the Vietnamese government’s presence in Cambodia throughout the 1980s. Setha also referred to connections between the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and the Khmer Rouge. Setha’s speech was videotaped and posted on YouTube by an unknown source. Setha was subsequently ordered to be held in pre-trial detention.

10 October 2023

We are the undersigned association, unions, civil society organization, active youths, are deeply concern after receiving information about Angkor Plywood Co. Ltd's request for a five-year extension of timber exports from 2022 to 2026. Based on reported by RFA, on July 7, 2023, titled “Angkor Plywood Company Continues to Export Rare Timber for Sale Abroad,” the Office of the Council of Ministers granted permission to postpone the export of timber until the end of 2023 in response to the company's request to export timber for five years.

To maintain sustainable natural resources in Cambodia, we, as associations, NGOs, unions, local communities, and youth groups, call on the Cambodian government to take serious action. Specifically, we urge the authorities to revoke Angkor Plywood Co. Ltd's timber export license and investigate their illegal export of rare timber species abroad. Such actions are in violation of Cambodian law and pose a significant threat to the country's valuable natural resources.

8 October 2023

Communities across four provinces and Phnom Penh celebrated World Habitat Day 2023 this week, which is itself marked by the first Monday of October each year. Members of land and forest communities gathered to acknowledge the day and raise concerns about their rights to adequate housing and livelihoods. Community members also urged the Cambodian government to expedite the process of finding solutions for ongoing land disputes. At least three communities faced harassment, threats, and surveillance by authorities.

6 October 2023

Two Koh Kong land activists, Phav Nheung and Seng Lin, were released from Koh Kong provincial prison today, after the Preah Sihanouk Appeal Court yesterday ordered the release of the detained women from pre-trial detention.

The Koh Kong Provincial Court in August sentenced both women to one year’s imprisonment and to pay 40 million riel (approximately US$10,000) after finding them guilty of defamation and incitement under Articles 494, 495, and 305 of the Criminal Code. Both were the target of a complaint launched by former community representative Chhay Vy, whom the women had accused in 2019 of seizing land.

Both Nheung and Lin had been in pre-trial detention since 30 June 2023, following their arrest on 29 June. Nheung’s almost two-year-old son had been living in prison with his mother since.

6 October 2023

On 4 October 2023, the Tbong Khmum Appeal Court announced its verdict dropping all charges against five Ratanakiri forest activists, including Chhorn Phalla. Phalla is a long-time environmental activist who has been imprisoned since his arrest in September 2021. Chhorn Phalla was released today, after the prosecution confirmed that the Appeal Court’s decision would not be appealed.

Phalla had been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in July 2022, while four other activists – Kham Masork, Sithan Nhan, Thvae Hok and Lat Branh, all of whom are Tampuon indigenous peoples – were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, but were not imprisoned pending appeal. The charges relate to a 2017 meeting that the five men attended in an effort to protect their forests and land and raise awareness about illegal logging.

The five were previously convicted by the Ratanakiri Provincial Court, which alleged that they had “felled trees, encroached and cleared forest land, set forest fire, and bulldozed forestlands to claim ownership” contrary to Article 28 of the Criminal Code and Articles 56(4) and 62(1) of the Law on Natural Protected Areas.