By Chheang Bopha
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by KI-Media
On the occasion of the international day of support to victims and survivors of torture, Licadho today denounces the increase of the number of torture cases in Cambodia and broadcasts TV spots until tomorrow on TVK and TV5. According to the semester report from this human rights defense organization, 96 prisoner torture cases were denounced during the first six months of the year, 69 of which were committed by the police force. During the same period in 2005, 78 cases were accounted and 50 in 2004.
Suong Khunvirakboth, Licadho’s anti-torture project coordinator, affirms that most of these cases were committed by police officers during questioning even though these officers know fully well the rights of the suspects. “A young boy was handcuffed and chained outside a police station, then tortured by the police officers while he was being arrested by mistake,” the investigator said. “Sometimes, the police force recognizes torture cases, but it still claim that it was individual acts and not because of orders from higher ups.”
“Some prisoners had told us that they were tortured during their incarceration. But when they were asked to bring forth the complaint, they refused for fear of retaliations. They even claim that they cannot recognize the person who tortured them. Once the wounds disappeared, we no longer have any proof,” Suong Khunvirakboth deplored. He wants to see an explicit law on this matter.
Touch Saroth, the municipal police commissioner, denounced the report issued by Licadho which he claimed to be wrong. He affirms that no torture took place in his institution and demands to know the names of those who made the claims about these cases. “If you give us proof, we will punish them (the culprits) because torture committed by police officers is prohibited,” he declared.
Suong Khunvirakboth, Licadho’s anti-torture project coordinator, affirms that most of these cases were committed by police officers during questioning even though these officers know fully well the rights of the suspects. “A young boy was handcuffed and chained outside a police station, then tortured by the police officers while he was being arrested by mistake,” the investigator said. “Sometimes, the police force recognizes torture cases, but it still claim that it was individual acts and not because of orders from higher ups.”
“Some prisoners had told us that they were tortured during their incarceration. But when they were asked to bring forth the complaint, they refused for fear of retaliations. They even claim that they cannot recognize the person who tortured them. Once the wounds disappeared, we no longer have any proof,” Suong Khunvirakboth deplored. He wants to see an explicit law on this matter.
Touch Saroth, the municipal police commissioner, denounced the report issued by Licadho which he claimed to be wrong. He affirms that no torture took place in his institution and demands to know the names of those who made the claims about these cases. “If you give us proof, we will punish them (the culprits) because torture committed by police officers is prohibited,” he declared.
1 comment:
69% of torturing are committed by police men, another 31% commetted by police support and 100,100% more are know,related, and or ignore by the Cambodia Royal Police!
Reforme this Criminal police force, if you want democracy in Cambodia!
I talk to who can like the UN!
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