Thursday, November 30, 2006

[Adhoc] Activist [in Ratanakkiri] Threatened by Phone, Menaced on Road

Thursday, November 30, 2006

By Kuch Naren
THE CAMBODIA DAILY

Colleagues of an outspoken human rights worker in Ratanakkiri province said Wednesday that they are concerned for his safety after he received a threatening text message and a sport utility vehicle tried to run him off the road.

Local rights group Adhoc has reported to local and international rights groups, as well as the government about the incidents involving its Ratanakkiri coordinator Pen Bonnar, said Adhoc investigator Chan Soveth.

"We are very concerned over death threats against human rights workers," Chan Soveth said.

Pen Bonnar said he was nearly killed when an approaching SUV traveling in the opposite direction swerved towards his motorbike Saturday morning. The incident, just outside the provincial capital of Banlung, came 10 days after Pen Bonnar received an apparent death threat sent by SMS text to his mobile phone.

The message featured a picture of a ghost, accompanied by the words "Lets go to eat ghost rice at the pagoda." The text was a reference to Pchum Ben, the annual festival of the dead, when Cambodians pay tribute to their deceased relatives.

Pen Bonnar said both incidents were likely linked to someone unhappy with his work in the province.

"Many people, especially high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen, are not happy with me for my intervention over land-grabbing, illegal logging and Montagnard issues," he said.

Pen Bonnar said he has filed a report on the incidents with provincial court prosecutor Mey Sokhan, who could not be reached for comment.

Deputy provincial police chief Chao Neang said police will investigate as soon as Pen Bonnar files a complaint.

A man answering the phone, which sent the text message to Pen Bonnar, identified himself as Sopheak, a 28-year-old Electricite du Cambodge worker in Siem Reap province. He said his sister probably accidentally sent the text to Pen Bonnar, but added that neither of them had ever heard of the rights worker.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I CAN NOT DO MUCH AT THIS MOMENT.

I ADMIRED THE COURAGE OF ALL GOOD, HONEST KHMER WHO ARE WORKING WITH HARSH AND DANGEROUS CONDITION INSIDE CAMBODIA.

MAY I PRAY TO THE LORD TO PROTECT YOU FROM HARM AND DANGER ALWAYS.

PLESE BE VIGILANT AT ALL THE TIMES.

YUONS AND SOME KBAL YUONS KLUON KHMERS ARE NOT HESITATE IN KILLING OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS KHMERS.

YOU ARE ALL OUR KHMER HEROE, MAY GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU.

Anonymous said...

Those who try to do bad things on others will receive bad things for himself, his family or his love one in the end.

Anonymous said...

Wish you well, Pen Bonna. Thank for your courage to serve Khmer. I support you and colleagues wholeheartedly and pray for your safety. May your work be successful!

Anonymous said...

Hun Sen has threatened in the past to close down the U.N. Human Rights Centre in Cambodia for presenting a critical report on his government's human rights record. This is an unofficial approval to his die-hard supporters to harass and threaten human rights workers all over the country.

Pen Bonnar's courage is to be admired and supported. His determination to work for the goodness of mankind under such a difficult circumstance is what separates him as a human being from those animal bullies. May Buddha protect you in your endeavour.

Anonymous said...

You know what I despise about the current beggar Cambodian government? Their sensitive thin skin to not accept criticsm. It is a part of democracy, to accept cricism from your people; whether it is right or wrong. The former defamation law was a joke and looked down upon by developed countries.

Pen Bonna is a heroe, who fights an uphill battle on behalf of poor, working Cambodian family. To threaten someone like Pen Bonna, and possibly murdering him is the lower than corruption. Cambodia needs people like him to help reform the system.