Associated Press
A Cambodian schoolteacher and her husband were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for torturing an 11-year-old girl they had purchased to be their domestic helper and held captive for more than a year, an official said Saturday.
Meas Neary, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and her husband, Va Sarouen, a 62-year-old retired Ministry of Education official, will serve 10 years behind bars, said judge Chan Madina.
Police arrested the couple in October, acting on a tip from neighbors that their young maid was being abused.
Officers found that the girl's body was covered with more than 200 wounds that the couple said they had inflicted with coat hangers, brooms, electric wires, and sometimes used pliers to pull her flesh, police said at the time.
The Phnom Penh Municipal court convicted the couple on Friday on charges of torture and human trafficking. Each had faced a maximum of 25 years in prison.
The couple had paid $400 to the girl's 62-year-old guardian in early 2008 for the girl to help with domestic chores, authorities said. Both of the child's parents were deceased.
Desperately poor Cambodia has been working to crack down on the buying and selling of children for domestic work, brothels or street-begging rings inside and outside the country.
The court also sentenced the girl's former guardian, Thoeng Reth, to five years in prison for human trafficking, the judge said.
All three were also ordered to pay a combined 20 million riel ($2,000) in compensation to the victim. The girl, who was not identified, is now in the care of a Swiss-based Christian organization, Hagar International, which provides assistance to victims of trafficking and exploitation.
Meas Neary, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and her husband, Va Sarouen, a 62-year-old retired Ministry of Education official, will serve 10 years behind bars, said judge Chan Madina.
Police arrested the couple in October, acting on a tip from neighbors that their young maid was being abused.
Officers found that the girl's body was covered with more than 200 wounds that the couple said they had inflicted with coat hangers, brooms, electric wires, and sometimes used pliers to pull her flesh, police said at the time.
The Phnom Penh Municipal court convicted the couple on Friday on charges of torture and human trafficking. Each had faced a maximum of 25 years in prison.
The couple had paid $400 to the girl's 62-year-old guardian in early 2008 for the girl to help with domestic chores, authorities said. Both of the child's parents were deceased.
Desperately poor Cambodia has been working to crack down on the buying and selling of children for domestic work, brothels or street-begging rings inside and outside the country.
The court also sentenced the girl's former guardian, Thoeng Reth, to five years in prison for human trafficking, the judge said.
All three were also ordered to pay a combined 20 million riel ($2,000) in compensation to the victim. The girl, who was not identified, is now in the care of a Swiss-based Christian organization, Hagar International, which provides assistance to victims of trafficking and exploitation.
28 comments:
They need to put them in prison for life. The government should do better than that to crack down all those peoples.
yes, agree. let this is an example to those who love to abuse human being, those who still live in the past aristocratic society, those who is not willing to reform, learn, and work hard and focus on human rights, etc., etc... yes, it is about time, although first time in khmer history perhaps to punish people like this, it is a good start for cambodia. really, nobody deserve to be abused by any other human being, not matter their social status or whatever! that kind of thinking was history because the world is so advanced nowadays, people everywhere don't need this kind of abuse, obnoxious type of mentality where some people think they are above god, or think they are better than others, etc... warren buffett and bill gates are the two richest people on the planet, and yet these people don't treat others any different due to their richness, etc... it goes to show that it's all in the mentality or thinking and how they were raised, educated, etc... in fact these richest people on the planet are so humble, and they gave away their billions to help humanity, help others less fortunate than themselves, help in the field of research, medicine research, disease eradication, all in the name of making a real difference not just for america, but for the entire world and mankind, really. we all should ingrain this kind of human quality in cambodia as well. it's all in the mind and in the way we are raised, educated, exposed, and so on and so forth. the problem in cambodia is probably due to selfishness, evil, lawlessness, etc... we all must push for real reform in cambodia. get rid of evil in cambodia. god msut see to it that evil can't win in cambodia. enough already, enough suffering already. cambodia must change, especially in mentality or thinking called a paradigm shift. now, don't think that all changes are bad, they're not, especially given there are so many problems going on in cambodia, we must change and changes start with all of us, individually. enough already! cleanse ourselve of evil forces, tell evil to get lost and leave us alone, really! refuse to accept or tolerate evil! god bless cambodia.
yes, let this be an example for the evil people! if they continue to do it, they all go to prison and die in prison, really!
I'm still shocked and disbelief! What drove them to do these horrible things to their own maid? Didn't they have hearts or at least have a tiny compassionate toward this 11- year old maid? That was so very in shame! I do hope they will be tortured, punished, and suffered during their prison time. I hope this story will be televised! So other Cambodian people who are abusing their maids right now will stop immediately. Does it work? I doubt it!
every time we have new law in cambodia, it will take a while for people to get used to it. however, whether this new law works or not, it is an important first step to rid of this kind of abuse altogether, eventually! it should not be tolerated, really! there are other ways to deal with this kind of situation like fire her, but to keep her and continue to abuse her is not right and unacceptable. it is cruel, evil, indeed!
Wow, twenty year for abusing a child? No one here think this punishment is too excessive? But, killing someone in Cambodia and get far less sentence then abusing? Is their sentencing guideline just the opposite?
I don't condone such cruel act, but every human being deserves a second chance at life.
I think five to ten year is more appropriate.
It's good to teach these monster a lessons, i think there's more child servants out there that torture and abused by their owner...like this one!
i think the point or purpose of the law is to discourage people from doing something they are not suppose to do, really! of course, people will think twice when we have law to punish them. hey, life is not fair, really!
There are worst people in Cambodia than just these two. The couple sentenced are just small fry. Too bad they did not have government protection status. You have to become a vigilante over there to get justice. Khmer police are unreliable and corrupt thanks to neighboring country like Shitnam. If you want something done right, you got to do it yourself.
It is the first step in the right direction. This punishment will also send a message to all abusers out there there that justice will prevail at last even it is rare to be seen in the Hun Sen government. This is only a symbolic act of justice system in Cambodia, only time will tell if the justice really is prevailing in Cambodia. We will keep our eyes open. It is definitely a welcome news.
yes agree but we all have to send this message louldly and clearly all over the country, espacialy in big city with big billboards.g
Well done! this jail is appropriated for these animals. However, should be done the same to those traitors who are in the current impoverished governement.
Australia
My god, my heart cries in pain for the little girl. This news story shows that there is indeed the practice of SLAVERY in Cambodia. What really puzzles me the most is that the perpetrator used to be a school teacher???? WTF???? She and her husband and another elderly woman joined hands in inflicting over 200 wounds on the little girl's body. What the f*ck!!! I say let these three adults be rotten in jail for life. Send them to Pol Pot in hell.
2:50AM
You may be a good hearted person. Killing a person, in some case, of course the killer may get lesser time.
But in this case this is not an "abuse", a word that may be used lightly. This is a hellish torture I have ever read concerning a defenseless child.
If you can contemplate minute by minute and moment by moment during the hours of torture and the time afterward how was the child's feeling? It was hell, if you see the scars left on her body you would agree that "this was a case of hell a child fell in".
I am mighty glad that the case was found not so late. And that the evil woman Nary is caught. I am a good hearted and compassionate person as well, but if I were to give Nary my verdict it would have been life without parole.
Nary was a devil in the flesh who was capable of doing such hellish things that the did. 20 years for her is quite light based on the nature of the crime she committed.
My heart cried for the child when I first read the news. Thank God the devil is caught and punished.
Who else is doing this now?
I know this case personally.
HAGAR international take care of this child.
The former teacher and his wife lived in a big villa in Phnom Penh.
Even with a lot of money they could not bribe the judge.
As you can see, it is getting better in Cambodia. This is the result of the Premier Minister HUN SEN.
Changes in a country need time, specially if there is a lack of discipline by the Cambodian People.
Others are cowards and just run away to another country. Come back to Cambodian and do something. Just complain when you sit in Long Beach will not help Cambodia.
Now only if these laws and their respective punishments can be enacted upon Hun Sen and his family, relatives, and close associates, as well as other members of the CPP who tend to break the law and get away freely on a regular basis.
It is funny how some fools in here talking about some Cambodian people run away to another country. I have a reason to believe that this mother fucker also run to another country too that is why he is good at writing broken English to tell the world how AH HUN SEN Vietcong slave do good mother fucker keep his empty promise!
This is just one child! What about hundred and thousand of children who were victimized by AH HUN SEN Vietcong slave land eviction and what have become of those children with no home and no school and their parent have to relocate without a fair compensation!
Oh please don't embarrass me with your nonsense mother fucker!
I got beaten real good by the school teacher in Cambodia - all was in vain, every thing I've learn is forgotten as now. I can't read Khmer, neither speaking it-not cohesive enough.
for your information, slavery existed in cambodia for a long time, i think cambodia needs to abolish this cruel practice. i mean, people work as maid and got paid for it, however, we have to distinguish that type of true work from abuse and slavery, really!
There's too many Nak Neang or Lok Chumteav Hen Houch Ta Pok Heum out there, still tortured and abused the MAIDS...specially Provincial governor's family...throughout Cambodia!
What a waste of space at the Prison. They should be burn alive. I bet you anything that woman will be horney as helll...the jail gaurds will bang her all night long...hahahahahah
HAHA HAH.. HAHA... HAHA... HOW CAN I LAUGH OUT MY ANGUISH... THE FUCKING IDIOT TEACHER COUPLE..
Cambodian judge is tough. Cambodian public is unforgivable. Indulgence is for everyone: too much punishment!
I thought Pol Pot did a good job in abolishing the so called "class" among all Cambodian people!
Why in the 21st century and Cambodia still have class struggle?
6:40,
after 30 years, your boss need more time? What are you, a fucking turtle in your past life? Are you that slow?
FYI, I didn't run away from Cambodia. I ESCAPED from the concentration camp that your current boss was in charge of.
Funny how a moron like you who just conceived a couple of decades ago with no knowledge of history, accusing us of run away.
7:43, Amen brother!
This isolated abuse is only a scratching surface. You want to see modern slavery and abuse? Just knock on the door of the Cambodian elite group called.......government.
(9:21PM)
Because your mother sleep with the enemy and continued to give birth to an imbecil like you. Hope that answer your question.
Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime
Members:
Pol Pot
Nuon Chea
Ieng Sary
Ta Mok
Khieu Samphan
Son Sen
Ieng Thearith
Kaing Kek Iev
Hun Sen
Chea Sim
Heng Samrin
Hor Namhong
Keat Chhon
Ouk Bunchhoeun
Sim Ka...
Committed:
Tortures
Brutality
Executions
Massacres
Mass Murder
Genocide
Atrocities
Crimes Against Humanity
Starvations
Slavery
Force Labour
Overwork to Death
Human Abuses
Persecution
Unlawful Detention
Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime
Members:
Hun Sen
Chea Sim
Heng Samrin
Hor Namhong
Keat Chhon
Ouk Bunchhoeun
Sim Ka...
Committed:
Attempted Murders
Attempted Murder on Chea Vichea
Attempted Assassinations
Attempted Assassination on Sam Rainsy
Assassinations
Assassinated Journalists
Assassinated Political Opponents
Assassinated Leaders of the Free Trade Union
Assassinated over 80 members of Sam Rainsy Party.
"But as of today, over eighty members of my party have been assassinated. Countless others have been injured, arrested, jailed, or forced to go into hiding or into exile."
Sam Rainsy LIC 31 October 2009 - Cairo, Egypt
Executions
Executed over 100 members of FUNCINPEC Party
Murders
Murdered 3 Leaders of the Free Trade Union
Murdered Chea Vichea
Murdered Ros Sovannareth
Murdered Hy Vuthy
Murdered Journalists
Murdered Khim Sambo
Murdered Khim Sambo's son
Murdered members of Sam Rainsy Party.
Murdered activists of Sam Rainsy Party
Murdered Innocent Men
Murdered Innocent Women
Murdered Innocent Children
Killed Innocent Khmer Peoples.
Extrajudicial Execution
Grenade Attack
Terrorism
Drive by Shooting
Brutalities
Police Brutality Against Monks
Police Brutality Against Evictees
Tortures
Intimidations
Death Threats
Threatening
Human Abductions
Human Abuses
Human Rights Abuses
Human Trafficking
Drugs Trafficking
Under Age Child Sex
Corruptions
Bribery
Embezzlement
Treason
Border Encroachment, allow Vietnam to encroaching into Cambodia.
Signed away our territories to Vietnam; Koh Tral, almost half of our ocean territory oil field and others.
Illegal Arrest
Illegal Mass Evictions
Illegal Land Grabbing
Illegal Firearms
Illegal Logging
Illegal Deforestation
Illegally use of remote detonation on Sokha Helicopter, while Hok Lundy and other military officials were on board.
Illegally Sold State Properties
Illegally Removed Parliamentary Immunity of Parliament Members
Plunder National Resources
Acid Attacks
Turn Cambodia into a Lawless Country.
Oppression
Injustice
Steal Votes
Bring Foreigners from Veitnam to vote in Cambodia for Cambodian People's Party.
Use Dead people's names to vote for Cambodian People's Party.
Disqualified potential Sam Rainsy Party's voters.
Abuse the Court as a tools for CPP to send political opponents and journalists to jail.
Abuse of Power
Abuse the Laws
Abuse the National Election Committee
Abuse the National Assembly
Violate the Laws
Violate the Constitution
Violate the Paris Accords
Impunity
Persecution
Unlawful Detention
Death in custody.
Under the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime, no criminals that has been committed crimes against journalists, political opponents, leaders of the Free Trade Union, innocent men, women and children have ever been brought to justice.
6:40AM
If you are stupit please shut up
HUNSEN ALMOST THIRTY YEAR IN POWER,NOT FIVE OR TEN YEAR .I KWON LEAD THE COUNTRY NOT EASY .IS THAT LEADER LOVE THE COUNTRY ? IF YOU SEARCH ABOUT ISREAL 'S HISTRY.HOW DID THEY DO WHEN FIRST INDEPENDENT.I DO NOT ASK BEST LIKE THEM BUT AT LEASE GET SOME.
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