Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2005 - Cambodia
- Document source:
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Date:
22 March 2006
Investigation into the assassination of Mr. Chea Vichea6
On 1 August 2005, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court found Mr. Sok Sam Oeun and Mr. Born Samnang guilty of the assassination of Mr. Chea Vichea, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), who had been shot dead on 22 January 2004. The two men were sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 dollars to be paid as compensation to the plaintiffs. Yet, numerous procedural irregularities and contradictions were observed during the proceedings. Mr. Chea Mony, brother of Mr. Vichea and FTUWKC president, stated that he would refuse the money, as he doubted that the two men were guilty.
On 21 October 2005, Mr. Sok Sam Oeun and Mr. Born Samnang lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal, after having sought to be granted an amnesty by King Norodom Sihamon.
Arrest of two FTUWKC members7
On 20 January 2005, Mr. Chea Mony and Mr. Heng Sophoan, a FTUWKC representative at the Su Ton Fag factory, were arrested by the police outside the head office of the trade union, following the dispersal of a demonstration of textile workers, in the commune of Sangkat Toul, Russey Keo district, Phnom Penh.
Arrest and judicial proceedings against Messrs. Kem Sokha, Yeng Virak and Pa Nguon Teang8
On 31 December 2005, Mr. Kem Sokha, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), and Mr. Yeng Virak, director of the Community Legal Education Centre (CLEC) and a member of the organising committee for celebrations of the International Human Rights Day, were arrested and charged with "defamation" in relation to the celebrations that were organised on 10 December 2005. The accusation was allegedly based on handwritten inscriptions that appeared on banners displayed on the CCHR stand, criticising the policies of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The two men were detained in the prison of Prey Sor, close to Phnom Penh.
On 4 January 2006, Mr. Pa Nguon Teang, CCHR vice-director, was also arrested and then charged with "defamation" in relation to the same events and taken to the prison of Prey Sor.
The offence of defamation is liable with eight days up to one year of imprisonment and/or a fine.
On 11 January 2006, Mr. Yeng Virak was released on bail, but the proceedings against him were still pending.
On 17 January 2006, Mr. Kem Sokha and Mr. Pa Nguon Teang were also released on bail on the order of the Prime Minister.
[Refworld note: This report as posted on the FIDH website (www.fidh.org) was in pdf format with country chapters run together by region. Footnote numbers have been retained here, so do not necessarily begin at 1.]
6. See Annual Report 2004 and Urgent Appeal KHM 001/0805/OBS 070.
7. See Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO).
8. See Urgent Appeals KHM 001/0106/OBS 001, 001.1, 001.2 and 001.3
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