At around 8.00am today more than 100 protesters from Boeung Kak Lake, Borey Keila and airport communities evicted from their homes assembled in front of the Ministry of Justice to demonstrate against violations of their housing rights and to file a petition asking for the release Ms. Yorm Bopha, a community activist imprisoned for more than 8 months so far on spurious charges.
On 13 March 2013 at Srecha Commune office, Mrs. Tim Narin, ADHOC Kratie Coordinator cooperated with Mr. Ouk Sara, Commune Chief, and Mrs. Lim Savorn, a Commune Councilor to mediate in a longstanding land dispute between two sisters: Ms. Ourn Dany, a 47 year old farmer and Ms. Ourn Sreypove, a 32 year old businesswoman.
On 30 April 2013, ADHOC organized a press conference on threats to Human Rights Defenders and Activists. The following statement was issued on this occasion.
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is gravely concerned at the increase in threats and intimidation of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and activists in the last three months. So far in 2013, 48 HRDs and activists have been threatened for their work relating to the protection of environmental and natural resources, according to ADHOC’s research. Activists working to counter illegal logging have been particularly targeted. [...]
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) learned today that Mr. Prom Ngoun, Chief of Thmor Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province filed a complaint for “incitement” against the Deputy Head of its Land and Natural Resources Rights Program, Mr. Chan Soveth, not its Pursat Coordinator Mr. Phuong Sothea, as mentioned yesterday in a statement issued by ADHOC.
It seems that the complaint follows the publication of an article in the Phnom Penh Post on 3rd April 2013 (“Pursat Land Dispute Makes Hay in Capital”), in which Chan Soveth declared: “The people in remote areas […] are easily threatened by authorities and the rich and powerful.” The newspaper article was attached to the complaint filed with the Prosecutor at Pursat.
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is concerned over the intimidation of Mr. Phuong Sothea, its Coordinator in Pursat province. Following an advocacy campaign on land rights and an interview Phuong Sothea did with Radio Free Asia, Mr. Prom Ngoy, Chief of Thmor Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province filed a complaint against him for “incitement” and “disinformation.” ADHOC emphasizes that Phuong Sothea has always acted in a manner consistent both with Cambodian law and ADHOC’s mandate, and calls on the judicial authorities not to open any criminal case against him.
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) today witnessed the release of Mr. Touch Ream and Mr. Kann Savann, after 10 months in prison in connection with a so-called secessionist movement in Broma village, Kampong Domrey commune, Chhlong district, Kratie province. The site is home to a controversial Economic Land Concession (ELC) granted to a Russian Company, Casotim. ADHOC provided lawyers for the men for their hearing at the Court of Appeal on 5-6 March 2013 and for the verdict on 14 March 2013. Outside the prison today there was little fanfare like that seen with the release of their co-defendant on Friday – the prominent journalist and democracy activist Mam Sonando – but the men can now return home with their families. That the men are free is welcome. However, the ruling of the Appeal Court was no victory for justice. Touch Ream and Kann Sovann remain convicted of crimes which no evidence supports, and have lost 10 months of their lives to Phnom Penh’s Prey Sar Prison.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 21 NGOs members, is pleased that the Court of Appeal today ruled to release Mam Sonando, KanSovann and Touch Ream; however, CHRAC cannot welcome this decision as they remain convicted on a number of spurious charges, which should have been dropped altogether.
Mam Sonando – the owner of independent Beehive Radio station and President of the Association of Democrats – was sentenced to 20 years in prison in on 01 October 2012, in relation to a so-called secessionist movement in Broma village, Kratie province. No credible evidence was ever produced to support the politically motivated charges against him. Mam Sonando should have been acquitted at the Appeal Court today; instead it upheld three of the original charges – articles 28, 504 and 609 of the Penal Code – and added another qualification – article 97(6) of the Forestry Law – in a move that raises serious concerns with regard to rule of law and rights of the defense.
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