Fair Trial - Not travesty of Justice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Phnom Penh, 31 May

Fair Trial - Not travesty of Justice

Opposition Sam Rainsy Party Member of Parliament and human rights advocate Mu Sochua has been summoned by the Cambodian Supreme Court to appear for a hearing at 8:00 a.m. on 2 June, 2010, when the Court will make a final ruling on a defamation charge brought against her by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Sam Rainsy Party appeals for:

Fair Trial

The judiciary is well-known for corruption and control by the executive branch, and by those who have political influence and money. The lack of reforms of the judiciary in Cambodia and the direct manipulation of the justice system by the executive must be condemned and immediate steps must be taken to allow judges and lawyers to exercise their roles and functions according to the rule of law and the principle of independence of judges and lawyers.

Freedom of Speech

Criminal charges of defamation, disinformation and incitement are being used to silence critics of the government, including journalists, trade union leaders, teachers and villagers, who dare to speak out against injustices. Even citizens seeking assistance from opposition MPs as victims of land grabbing, corruption, and abuse by local authorities are directly threatened and labeled as opposition activists. They are closely monitored and are often arrested without warrants.

Gender Justice

Women in Cambodia are expected not to speak out against abuses of any kind, and to silently suffer with injustices. Despite the number of strong women willing to risk their lives to organize against land grabbing and other community concerns, the backlash against their “audacity” has been even more fierce.

SRP thus calls on civil society and the international community to continue their vigilance of the current surge of defamation cases against dissenting voices, partisan political pressure on the judiciary, and troubling status of women.

SRP calls on the international community to remain vigilant and to take action to pressure the Cambodian government to:

• Reform the judiciary and ensure independent and impartial trials for all who come before the courts.
• Halt criminal prosecutions of critics of the government, who must be allowed freedom of speech.

SRP also calls for renewed momentum in Cambodia and across the globe to create social and institutional changes necessary to ensure equal respect and dignity for women in Cambodia – especially those who dare to stand up for their beliefs and speak out against injustice.

Contact: 012 788 999