Phnom Penh (Cambodia). 22/01/2009: Chea Mony, union leader, at the commemoration of the assassination of his brother Chea Vichea (Photo: John Vink/ Magnum)22-01-2009
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set in English
In all, it was more than 200 workers, trade unionists, defenders of Human rights and MPs of the opposition who met on Thursday January 22nd at the FTUWKC (Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia) headquarters in Phnom Penh, to mark the fifth anniversary of the murder of Chea Vichea, the popular activist who during the last years of his position as president of the FTUWKC, shaped the movement into workers' living force in their demands, which could not be ignored in social negotiations. Among the crowd, solemn faces, and the noticeable presence of Born Samnang, one of the two men accused of murdering Chea Vichea, released on bail on December 31st 2008 after spending nearly five years behind bars. In the ceremony speeches, several calls were made to identify and bring to justice the true perpetrators of the crime, and accusations were formulated against Hok Lundy, the former top national Police chief of Cambodia, who died in an accident in November 2008.
Chea Vichea should be granted the title of “workers' hero”
The procession was led by Chea Mony, the brother of Chea Vichea who took over the leadership of the FTUWKC, Rong Chhun - Chea Vichea's close friend and president of the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) - and opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha accompanied by elected representatives of their parties. The march ended in front of the news stand located behind one of the walls of Wat Langka and in front of which their “hero” was shot to death by two strangers on January 22nd 2004. There, on the pavement, they laid flower wreaths and collected their thoughts in silence as the air was slowly filled with the fragrant smoke of incense.
Every year since 2005, the ritual is repeated, initiated by the unions led by Chea Mony and Rong Chhun, gathered within a single confederation, and with permission of the authorities to facilitate the holding of the event. This 5th anniversary was yet another tribute to Chea Vichea's hard work and ceaseless fight for freedom, Human rights and the improvement of working conditions in Cambodia.
Participants reiterated their demand to the government and to King Sihamoni that Chea Vichea be awarded the title of “workers' hero”, a title which they had already granted him by printing these words on the back of the tee-shirts they were wearing, below a photograph showing the late union activist sat at his desk and busy writing. Rong Chhun, who organised the ceremony, also renewed an old request: for a statue of Chea Vichea to be erected on a corner of the junction of Street 51 (Rue Pasteur) and Sihanouk boulevard, a few steps away from the crime scene.
"Finding the true assassins"
Born Samnang spoke the first. Looking solemn and a little apprehensive, he carefully stayed by his mother's side who came with him, even though he claimed he was not scared. “Today, I want to appear in front of everyone to tell them that I have been released. I hope justice will soon dismiss the case, because I did not kill Chea Vichea!”, he declared, before expressing his deep gratitude to Chea Vichea's relatives, “especially his brother and his wife who called several times for my release”. His companion in misfortune, Sok Sam Oeun, was not present because he has now taken monastic robes, his father said. The latter briefly said a few words, in particular to thank the Supreme Court for having promoted justice for Born Samnang and his own son.
Ou Virak, the president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), stressed the fact that justice had not been dealt in that case, and encouraged the government “to find the true assassins of Chea Vichea in order to send a clear message to all: Cambodia does not tolerate murders, and nor does it tolerate impunity”. His call was echoed by Chea Mony, Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy in their respective speeches.
Those to be held accountable for the murder: "Hok Lundy" and "above him..."
Chea Mony, standing on a chair and looking at the crowd, declared solemnly but with determination, that “Heng Pov, the former deputy police commissioner in charge of the Chea Vichea case, revealed before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court that Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were not the murderers and that the person behind it was none other than Hok Lundy. [...] The government has of course changed a little: these two men have been released on bail and the case has been sent back to the Court of Appeal. [...] But since the country's policemen and soldiers are faced with the lack of independence in the judiciary system, they cannot put their professionalism into practice to catch the culprits”.
Sam Rainsy also deplored the government's obvious lack of willpower in bringing to justice the real murderers. “I hope that when we come back here at this scene on January 22nd 2010, the criminals and their accomplices will already be in jail!” Welcoming this “first step forward” in that process, materialised by Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun's provisional release, the opposition leader, who was also perched on a chair for the occasion, bluntly said: “Hok Lundy is dead but this is not enough! It is necessary to find who was above him! He cannot have done this on his own without receiving orders from someone above him”!
These attacks were not to the liking of Kiet Chantharith, the spokesman for the National Police, who, called by Ka-set to react on the remarks, explained on the phone that “in order to make such accusations, it is essential to have evidence! One cannot make snap allegations like this because it damages the honour and rights of others”.
Chea Vichea should be granted the title of “workers' hero”
The procession was led by Chea Mony, the brother of Chea Vichea who took over the leadership of the FTUWKC, Rong Chhun - Chea Vichea's close friend and president of the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) - and opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha accompanied by elected representatives of their parties. The march ended in front of the news stand located behind one of the walls of Wat Langka and in front of which their “hero” was shot to death by two strangers on January 22nd 2004. There, on the pavement, they laid flower wreaths and collected their thoughts in silence as the air was slowly filled with the fragrant smoke of incense.
Every year since 2005, the ritual is repeated, initiated by the unions led by Chea Mony and Rong Chhun, gathered within a single confederation, and with permission of the authorities to facilitate the holding of the event. This 5th anniversary was yet another tribute to Chea Vichea's hard work and ceaseless fight for freedom, Human rights and the improvement of working conditions in Cambodia.
Participants reiterated their demand to the government and to King Sihamoni that Chea Vichea be awarded the title of “workers' hero”, a title which they had already granted him by printing these words on the back of the tee-shirts they were wearing, below a photograph showing the late union activist sat at his desk and busy writing. Rong Chhun, who organised the ceremony, also renewed an old request: for a statue of Chea Vichea to be erected on a corner of the junction of Street 51 (Rue Pasteur) and Sihanouk boulevard, a few steps away from the crime scene.
"Finding the true assassins"
Born Samnang spoke the first. Looking solemn and a little apprehensive, he carefully stayed by his mother's side who came with him, even though he claimed he was not scared. “Today, I want to appear in front of everyone to tell them that I have been released. I hope justice will soon dismiss the case, because I did not kill Chea Vichea!”, he declared, before expressing his deep gratitude to Chea Vichea's relatives, “especially his brother and his wife who called several times for my release”. His companion in misfortune, Sok Sam Oeun, was not present because he has now taken monastic robes, his father said. The latter briefly said a few words, in particular to thank the Supreme Court for having promoted justice for Born Samnang and his own son.
Ou Virak, the president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), stressed the fact that justice had not been dealt in that case, and encouraged the government “to find the true assassins of Chea Vichea in order to send a clear message to all: Cambodia does not tolerate murders, and nor does it tolerate impunity”. His call was echoed by Chea Mony, Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy in their respective speeches.
Those to be held accountable for the murder: "Hok Lundy" and "above him..."
Chea Mony, standing on a chair and looking at the crowd, declared solemnly but with determination, that “Heng Pov, the former deputy police commissioner in charge of the Chea Vichea case, revealed before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court that Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were not the murderers and that the person behind it was none other than Hok Lundy. [...] The government has of course changed a little: these two men have been released on bail and the case has been sent back to the Court of Appeal. [...] But since the country's policemen and soldiers are faced with the lack of independence in the judiciary system, they cannot put their professionalism into practice to catch the culprits”.
Sam Rainsy also deplored the government's obvious lack of willpower in bringing to justice the real murderers. “I hope that when we come back here at this scene on January 22nd 2010, the criminals and their accomplices will already be in jail!” Welcoming this “first step forward” in that process, materialised by Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun's provisional release, the opposition leader, who was also perched on a chair for the occasion, bluntly said: “Hok Lundy is dead but this is not enough! It is necessary to find who was above him! He cannot have done this on his own without receiving orders from someone above him”!
These attacks were not to the liking of Kiet Chantharith, the spokesman for the National Police, who, called by Ka-set to react on the remarks, explained on the phone that “in order to make such accusations, it is essential to have evidence! One cannot make snap allegations like this because it damages the honour and rights of others”.
5 comments:
Heng Pov already said Hoc Lon Di was the mastermind under Hun Sen command.
Slowly the cpp is topple down like a death tree. Soon, the top of the tree will come down. When it down. Its got no where to hide to live on.
nothing lasts forever especially the crooked and currupted.
What does Som Archsy and Kem Soakpee-kroy have in common? Use the poor guy Chea Vichea for their political stunt.
If Som Archsy and Kem Soakpee-kroy really want to find the murderer that killed Chea Vichea, they would do everything possible like hire private detector or try their best to look for this invidual merderer. These two scums just use this to publicise for their political gain. Go figure!
11:31 PM
The man has a true heart and a true khmer. Not like some big mouth traitor like hun sen and his regime.
Modern day khmer heroe for other khmer.
God bless him and his family.
The man is on the wrong side of history and got what he deserved.
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