STATEMENT

CHRAC expresses concern about the effect of the Cambodian Freedom Fighters

Published on 19 October 2001; Cambodia Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC)
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The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 local NGOs, is very concerned about the consequences for the Nation's future due to the occurrence of a group announcing itself as the Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) and the Government's actions to eliminate the group’s activities.

The CHRAC strongly condemns the use or attempted use of violence in order to change society.

The CHRAC appeals to all Cambodian People, including the CFF group, to use the mechanism of democracy in order to obtain legitimate power from the Khmer people so as to change society by peaceful means, avoiding the use of violence in all cases.

The CHRAC appeals to the Government of Cambodia to exercise the principles of democracy, Rule of Law, transparency, and respect for human rights, including the right of all criminally accused persons to the assistance of a lawyer, regardless of their involvement with CFF. All the accused must be equally entitled to meet with their relatives, lawyers or human rights workers so that they can professional assistance, information or treatment.

The CHRAC appeals to all the authorities to comply with the procedure of the law to arrest and detain all suspects, whether or not they are involved with CFF or other offenses.

For more information, please contact:
 Mr.Sok Sam Oeun, Chairperson of CHRAC, Executive Director of CDP, Tel: 012 901 199
 Mr. Dr. Lao Mong Hay, Executive Director of KID, Tel: 012 959 454
 Mrs.Dr. Pung Chhiv Kek, President of LICADHO, Tel: 012 802 506

PDF: Download full statement

Resources

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