Cambodia-Alert: petition for Mu Sochua

Dear all,

I would like you to sign and spread this petition for Cambodian citizens abroad to sign:

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/space_for_cambodian_women_in_politics

I would like to update you on what is happening here in Cambodia (brief article attached). The movement of Cambodian women which established itself last week in support of Mu Sochua and her cause keeps growing each day, it is amazing!

The movement of women started a week ago: it began with approximately 20 representatives from garment workers, sex workers, NGO staff, public officials, and students

Cambodian women groups, associations and networks have of course been developing and have been supporting Sochua for a long time. However, recently, seeing the deadline for the fine payment approaching, Sochua refusing to pay it, and feeling the need for her presence within women movements, in the government and to step forward in the face of government oppression, a group of different women individuals and associations began to organize themselves to build a network, sign a petition and raise funds at the national level.

A Joint Statement was published last week. A location (CCHR in Phnom Penh) found for Cambodians to go and sign/bring financial support if they can. A conference organized last Saturday (with 4 speakers, from different generations) to discuss the importance of Sochua's court trial and the need for promoting women's rights and specifically women's participation in polirtics (around 50 women, mainly cambodian, attended).

A press conference is being organized for tomorrow morning during which the movement will ask Sochua to accept its financial support (see below).

The group keeps raising awareness all over the country, gathering support from an increasing number of sectors: media, teachers, farmers, sellers, more NGO staff and public officials, youth groups, unions...

The group is also raising awareness abroad: a petition is going online for Cambodians abroad to bring their support (http://www.change.org/petitions/view/space_for_cambodian_women_in_politics). Embassies, foreign medias and institutions are also being contacted.

We are now beyond 1000 signatures and the number keeps increasing. The movement will not stop and keep raising awareness, wanting not only to let Sochua free but also to keep promoting women's rights and participation in Cambodian society and politics.

I will keep you informed of the developments here. Please, do contact us for any further information.

Please circulate this information as much as possible.

With kind regards,

Victoria on behalf of the Cambodian Women Movement Victoria L. Petitjean
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Grassroots Cambodian Women’s Network
Seeks to Pay Fine for MP Mu Sochua in Show of Support

PHNOM PENH – A grassroots network of Cambodian women will hold a press conference on Wednesday 14th July at 9am at Baitong Restaurant, Number 7, Street 360, Phnom Penh to seek official authorization from MP Mu Sochua to allow them to pay the 16.5 million riel fine in connection with her conviction for defamation, recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

As the group announced in a joint statement released this weekend, “Allowing Mu Sochua to be imprisoned will not only take away one of Cambodia’s most important political figures and human rights advocates, but will also symbolically undermine the voice of all Cambodian women.”

The group has been collecting donations while circulating a petition across the country in support of MP Mu Sochua and her life-long causes: women’s and children’s rights, including freedom of expression and political participation.

The joint statement accompanying the petition calls on the Royal Government of Cambodia to “show strong commitment and take more visible responsibility in the promotion of: women’s roles and participation in politics; women’s rights; freedom of expression; and a fair judicial system.”

Click here to read the full Joint Statement (“A Space for Cambodian Women in Politics”).

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The group is composed of Khmer citizens, garment workers, sex workers, beer-promotion women, university students, individual advocates, community members, moto-taxi drivers, vendors, farmers, union members, teachers, government officials, and NGO staff. They share a deep concern for freedom of expression in the country, and have come together to demand reforms to create a space for true democracy.

Contact:
Ms. Arun Reaksmey, Tel: 012 236 653
Ms. Chrek Sophea, Tel: 092 293 257
Ms. Neang Sovathana, Tel: 092 663 062