The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee has interviewed victims of the December 5 incident between representatives of forest concession communities from the Provinces and the police officers in front of the office of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife.

According to the Action Committee's interviews, victims representing forest concession communities confirmed that the police really used the electric shock baton to crack down on them and this caused them injury.

The Global witness issued a press release on December 5, 2002 stating that the communities were threatened and beaten by state security forces while waiting outside the offices of the DFW to hear if the Department would organize a workshop on forestry management plans and environmental and social impact assessments. The release said that at about 6:40 PM that evening, four trucks of armed military police, police and the elite force flying tigers arrived at the DFW offices. They shouted that anyone who did not run away immediately would be arrested and beat the people with batons and electric cattle prods. The crowds dispersed. Approximately a dozen people were injured, including one person whose foot was broken.

If the competent authorities have [indeed] used an excessive force to crack down on the victims, their acts violate the people’s rights and the freedom of people gathering peacefully. But the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Forestry have denied an allegation, stating force was not used to crack down on the victims as mentioned by the Global Witness’s press release.

Since there are different interpretations as to whether electro shock batons were used on the gathering women and men, CHRAC urges the Government to promptly establish an independent, transparent, and highly responsible investigation commission to investigate into the case.

Meanwhile, CHRAC wishes to appeal as below:

- The government of Cambodia should take legal action to bring those responsible for the use of excessive force to justice if excessive force was really used

- The Government’s authorities especially the Department of Forestry should allow the Forestry concession community representatives to meet and find a resolution to the case because the government officials must be aware of the people’s difficulties.

- The Government should issue an instruction to the institutions under its leadership so that they provide opportunities to the people to participate in decision making in the framework of democracy. Making demonstration or strike are gesture of expressions guaranteed by the law and the Cambodian Constitution, but during the recent years, the government officials have presumed that when demonstrations or strikes take place, they are always against the government

- The Government should reconsider its position to attempt to close down Global Witness because this organization is an independent and trusted and dares to report the truth to the government in order to work in forestry reform only.

- The Government should raise the issued involved with Global Witness with the donors and other stakeholders in order to find a fair solution.

- The Government should prove its political wills and commitment to resolve the Forest concessions in the interest of the people and the Nation.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Mr. Thun Saray, Chairperson of Action Committee Tel; 016 880 506
▪ Mr. Sok Sam Oeun Chairperson of Legislative Sub-Committee Tel: 012 901 199
▪ Mr. Keat Sokun, Executive Director of KID Tel: 012 701 097

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