Cambodia jails environmental activists for incitement
Human rights watchdog CIVICUS demands the immediate release of the Mother Nature Cambodia campaigners
Updated: May 06, 2021 06:59 AM GMT
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Environmental activist Phuon Keoreaksmey during a cycling campaign in 2020. (Photo: Mother Nature Cambodia)
Three environmental activists have been jailed for 18-20 months and fined for incitement amid demands for their release and warnings their convictions highlighted a “rapid deterioration” of human rights in Cambodia.
Global civil society alliance CIVICUS said the international community “must not remain silent at this injustice” following the convictions of Phuon Keoreaksmey, Long Kunthea and Thun Ratha from Mother Nature Cambodia on May 5.
Alejandro González-Davidson, and Khmer Thavrak member
Chea Kunthin, for planning a peaceful demonstration to denounce the exploitation of Phnom Penh’s Bueng Ta-mouk lake[2].
On May 5, 2021, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Long Kunthea and Phoun Keo Reaksmey to 18 months in prison and a fine of 4 million riel (approximately 825 Euros) on charges of “incitement to cause societal chaos” (Articles 494 and 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code). Thun Ratha was sentenced to 20 months in prison and a fine of 4 million riel on the same charges. At the time of publication of this urgent appeal, Thun Ratha remains detained in Phnom Penh’s Correctional Centre 1, while Long Kunthea and Phoun Keo Reaksmey remain detained in Phnom Penh’s Correctional Centre 2.
RFA
Nearly four dozen nongovernmental organization marked World Press Freedom Day in Cambodia on Monday by urging the government to ensure that reporters can carry out their work free from fear of retaliation amid the country’s worst outbreak of the coronavirus to date.
In a joint statement, the 45 NGOs expressed concern over what they said is “the continued deterioration of the media environment in Cambodia” and urged the government “to cease the ongoing harassment of independent media outlets and journalists for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression.”
Additionally, the groups also called on the government “to end the rampant impunity against attacked and murdered journalists, to immediately repeal repressive legislation undermining fundamental freedoms including press freedom and to ensure that any future legislation is drafted in line with Cambodia’s human rights obligations and through a transparent and consultative process wit
Sam Rainsy s Facebook page
A court in Cambodia sentenced the acting chief of the country’s opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy to a 25-year jail term in absentia on Monday for plotting a “coup” as part of his attempt to return home from self-imposed exile in late 2019, according to officials.
Sam Rainsy, who has lived in Paris since 2015 to avoid a string of charges and convictions he says are politically motivated, was convicted “for an [attempted] attack in Cambodia in 2019,” a Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesperson said.
Eight other CNRP leaders Sam Rainsy s wife Tioulong Saumura, Eng Chhai Eang, Mu Sochua, Ou Chanrith, Long Ry, Nuth Romdoul, Ho Vann, and Men Sothavarin were also sentenced in absentia to between 20 and 22 years in jail. All nine were also banned from voting or running as candidates in future elections, according to pro-government media outlet Fresh News.
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A Cambodian man, Ny Nak, 41, was brought to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on December 12. He was charged for “public insult” and “incitement to discrimination” after his Facebook post under the name IMan-KH was alleged to have indirectly insulted Prime Minister Hun Sen. Police
Capital court charges man over ‘mocking’ PM in Facebook post
Sun, 13 December 2020
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has charged a Cambodian man, Ny Nak, 41, and placed him in pre-trial detention for public insult and incitement to discrimination under articles 307, 494 and 496 of the Criminal Code.
According to an order signed by Investigating Judge Hong Sokun Vathana on December 12, Ny Nak, who sells sausages online, is a native of Tapon commune in Battambang province’s Sangke district. Prior to the arrest, he resided at a rented house in Boeung Tompun I commune, in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district.